Chapter 327: May's Battle
Before long, the list of those who advanced to the second round of judging was announced.
May's score in the first round of judging was fourth place, so she undoubtedly advanced directly to the second round.
In the random drawing for the second round of judging, May's luck was neither good nor bad; she ended up facing Drew in the very first match.
Based on Ash's understanding of May, her raw strength was undoubtedly stronger than Drew's, as she was a newcomer recognized by two Gym Leaders.
Someone like Drew, who only focused on the flashiness of moves, might not necessarily be May's opponent in a real fight; the only thing to watch out for was whether the moves demonstrated beauty.
The opponent Ash randomly drew was just a passerby, but in the semi-finals, he would meet Robert, who owned a Milotic. May and the others were in the other half of the bracket, so whether Ash would face them depended on who made it to the finals.
"This arrangement is actually quite good!"
Drew was very satisfied with the results of the random draw.
"Drew, I won't be the one who loses!" May said confidently.
Drew smiled and said, "I admit you have talent, but to beat me, you're still a bit lacking."
The competition proceeded quickly. After Ash finished his match against another random Trainer, it was May and Drew's turn to duel.
"Roselia, go!"
"Beautifly, take the stage!"
Both sides simultaneously sent out their Pokémon.
[Pokémon: Roselia (Drew)]
[Type: Grass + Poison]
[Gender: Male]
[Level: 22 (Excellent Beginner)]
[Ability: Natural Cure (When returned to the party, status conditions will be healed)]
[Potential: Pseudo-Elite]
[Moves: Magical Leaf, Petal Dance, Stun Spore...]
"Roselia, use Magical Leaf!"
Roselia put its hands together and fired a large number of crescent-shaped white energy leaves at Beautifly.
"Beautifly, use Hurricane."
Beautifly flapped its wings to create a storm that swirled around its body.
As Roselia's Magical Leaf approached the edge of the storm, it was instantly shredded by the storm, turning into specks of white light that became special effects embellishing Beautifly's appearance.
Drew's attack not only failed to cause any damage, but it actually gave Beautifly a boost, and his score dropped sharply.
This result truly surprised Drew. "Hmph, an interesting move."
"Roselia, use Grass Whistle."
With the storm blocking the way, Drew knew that conventional moves couldn't strike Beautifly, but a sound-based hypnosis move like Grass Whistle was different.
Roselia raised its right hand to its mouth, and a melodious, peculiar flute sound rang out.
Upon hearing the flute sound, Beautifly, in mid-air, found its eyelids fighting each other uncontrollably. Then, its figure swayed, and the storm around it quietly dissipated.
In less than ten seconds, Beautifly collapsed to the ground and fell fast asleep.
May's score also dropped significantly.
May shouted anxiously, "Beautifly, wake up quickly!"
Drew pressed his advantage, saying, "Roselia, use Stun Spore now."
Upon hearing this, Roselia immediately released a large amount of Stun Spore.
Watching the Stun Spore drift over, May was like an ant on a hot pan. Just as the Stun Spore was about to touch Beautifly, a flash of inspiration hit her, and she suddenly remembered a move Ash had told her about before.
"Beautifly, use Sleep Talk!"
Upon hearing this, Drew was immediately shocked. "What?"
Beautifly, still asleep, flapped its wings with its eyes closed and flew back up, randomly using the move Silver Wind.
Once Silver Wind was released, Roselia's Stun Spore was blown away.
With the attack neutralized, Drew's score fell again.
After releasing Silver Wind, Beautifly also woke up.
"Very good, Beautifly, it's our turn to counterattack. Use Attract!"
Once the female Beautifly used Attract, the male Roselia was completely infatuated, falling hook, line, and sinker for the honey trap.
Drew's expression darkened; he had underestimated May this time.
After being hit by Attract, Roselia was effectively a wooden stake, and Beautifly executed Air Cutter to end the match directly.
The effect of the Attract move was something May had discovered while practicing simulated battles with Jessie, and Seviper was the first victim.
Of course, even without the Attract move, May's Beautifly still had other ways to end the match, though the process wouldn't have been as smooth.
After all, Beautifly's level was about the same as Roselia's.
Waiting Room.
As soon as May returned, Ash praised her, "May, your performance this time was very good!"
May nodded happily, "Mm-hmm, this is all thanks to your help, Ash. If it weren't for the TM you gave me, I think I would have already lost. Also, those guys from Team Rockets helped a lot too!"
Ash shook his head, "The TM and the practice sessions aren't the key. The reason you were able to win is because of yourself."
The key to winning a Pokémon battle mainly depends on the Trainer themselves. If the Trainer's own strength is insufficient, even if they have a Legendary Pokémon, there is a possibility of being defeated by someone else.
Ash had as many TMs as he wanted, but if May didn't know how to use them, giving her more would be a waste.
Drew was a guy who could accept defeat. After declaring that he would have another match against May at the next Grand Festival, he left.
As the competition progressed, the semi-final between Ash and Robert soon took place.
Robert: "Go, Milotic."
[Pokémon: Milotic (Robert)]
[Type: Water]
[Gender: Female]
[Level: 33 (Gym Beginner)]
[Ability: Marvel Scale (If affected by a status condition, the mysterious scales will react, and defense will increase)]
[Potential: Elite]
[Moves: Water Pulse, Safeguard, Disarming Voice, Twister, Water Gun...]
The Gym-level Milotic was a major tier ahead of Drew's Roselia, so it could indeed easily defeat Roselia.
"I choose you, Milotic!"
Ash also released his own Milotic; his Milotic was at the Elite Intermediate level.
Once the Elite aura was unleashed, the Gym-level Milotic's spirit withered significantly.
Robert said with a solemn expression, "Mr. Ash, it is a great honor to battle you!"
Ash first had Milotic retract its Elite aura, then smiled and said, "Mr. Robert, please give it your all!"
"Alright, Milotic, use Iron Tail!" Robert said.
Ash said calmly, "Milotic, Aqua Tail."
Robert's Milotic's tail glowed with white light, while Ash's tail was covered in water. Both Milotics swung their tails at each other almost simultaneously.
Slap!
The two tails collided, producing a fierce reaction, but after less than three seconds of stalemate, Robert's Milotic, lacking follow-through strength, was knocked back two and a half meters by Ash's.
Robert's score dropped a notch.
"Is this the Pokémon of the Legendary Pokemon Master from the Silver Conference? Such strong power!" Robert thought to himself.
He shouted, "Milotic, use Scald!"
"Milotic, use Psybeam."
Scald clashed with Psybeam, the water flow was instantly frozen, and Ash's Milotic took the opportunity to slide over on the ice and hit the opponent with its tail.
Robert's score dropped again.
Ash said, "Milotic, use Hydro Pump."
Firing at point-blank range, Ash's Milotic knocked out Robert's Milotic with one shot.
Except for Drew, May's combat power in the bottom half of the bracket was leading by a landslide, so there was no doubt that she was the one who would meet Ash in the finals.
Reaching the finals in her first competition felt like a dream to her.
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