The Battle Round continued beneath the brilliant stage lights.
One Contest Battle after another unfolded before the audience, each coordinator displaying their own style and creativity. Some focused on elegant combinations, while others relied on speed, precision, and clever timing to gain the advantage.
Gil watched every match closely, quietly noting the strengths and weaknesses.
Soon, it was time for the third match.
The contest hall lights softened into a gentle glow as the female announcer's bright, melodious voice filled the arena.
"Everyone, our next Battle Round match is about to begin! Taking the stage first is Gil, whose Eevee captivated both the judges and the audience with a clever and dazzling performance in the Appeal Round! Facing him is Kai, whose elegant Roserade left a lasting impression earlier today! Both coordinators have already shown us their beauty, creativity, and skill, but now it's time to see them shine in Contest Battle! Who will claim victory and advance to the next round? Let's find out together!"
A soft chime signaled the start.
Gil stepped forward, his heart pounding beneath his calm expression, and tossed his Poké Ball onto the stage.
"Charmeleon, I choose you!"
Charmeleon emerged in a swirl of warm light, the flame on her tail burning brightly beneath the stage lights. She stood tall with quiet confidence shining in her eyes.
"Charmeleonn!"
Across the field, Kai tossed his own Poké Ball.
"Breloom, show them your spirit!"
Breloom appeared with a soft hop, landing lightly upon the stage. Its mushroom cap caught the glow of the lights as it stretched its arms and let out an eager cry.
"Breloom!"
A small smile tugged at Gil's lips.
Just as I thought… A Grass-type.
From the information Gil had gathered earlier, Kai had used mostly Grass-type Pokémon, with the occasional Bug-type in past Contests.
The timer on the big screen began its countdown from five minutes. Both sides started with full points.
Gil kept his stance steady, eyes locked on Breloom.
Breloom's Fighting and Grass typing makes it dangerous at close range, but Charmeleon's Fire typing gives us a natural advantage. Keeping our distance can make things even harder for it.
"Charmeleon, use Smokescreen!"
Charmeleon exhaled a thick, rolling cloud that spread quickly and evenly across the stage. The smoke was dense and heavy, swallowing both Pokémon in seconds.
Kai remained calm despite losing sight of both Pokémon.
"Breloom, use Bullet Seed! Fire in all directions!"
"Brelooooooooo….!"
Dozens of glowing green seeds shot through the smoke cloud in every direction. Brilliant streaks of emerald light flashed within the dark veil, some piercing through the smoke before bursting harmlessly across the stage. The beautiful display of light and shadow drew murmurs of appreciation from the audience.
Gil's eyes sharpened.
"Charmeleon, jump!"
"Char!"
Charmeleon burst from the top of the smoke cloud in a powerful leap, her tail flame blazing brightly beneath the stage lights.
From above, the countless glowing Bullet Seeds streaking through the smoke clearly revealed Breloom's position below.
"Now, Dragon Breath! Aim where the Bullet Seeds are coming from!"
"Breloom, attack above the smoke cloud!" Kai called out immediately.
Hearing Kai's command, Breloom tilted its head upward and redirected its Bullet Seeds toward the sky.
But it was already too late.
Opening her jaws, Charmeleon unleashed a brilliant stream of violet-blue dragon energy. Dragon Breath tore through the barrage of Bullet Seeds, shattering some and vaporizing others in a dazzling shower of emerald and violet sparks. The force of the attack scattered the remaining smoke as it surged onward.
The audience gasped at the beautiful clash of attacks.
Even after colliding with Bullet Seed, Dragon Breath still struck Breloom head-on.
"Brelooom!"
Breloom cried out in pain as it was driven several steps backward across the stage.
Almost instantly, a noticeable portion of Kai's points vanished from the display overhead.
Charmeleon landed lightly back on the stage, her tail flame burning brightly beneath the lights.
Excited murmurs spread throughout the contest hall. Gil had taken the opening exchange of the battle.
But neither coordinator intended to slow down.
"Breloom, Drain Punch!"
Breloom shot forward like a green blur, closing the distance in an instant.
"Charmeleon, Iron Tail!"
Charmeleon's tail glowed with a metallic sheen as she spun to meet the incoming attack.
Boom!
The two attacks collided, sending both Pokémon skidding several steps backward across the stage.
The battle only grew fiercer from there.
Breloom remained relentlessly aggressive, chaining together Tackle and Drain Punch to pressure Charmeleon at every opportunity. In response, Charmeleon countered with well-timed attacks of her own, using Iron Tail and Flamethrower to force Breloom back whenever she found an opening.
With every clean hit, points disappeared from the display overhead.
Time continued to tick away.
Both Pokémon began to show signs of exhaustion. Their movements had slowed, but neither was willing to give an inch. The stage bore the marks of their fierce exchange, drawing louder cheers from the audience with every passing moment.
Then, the announcer's voice rang throughout the contest hall, reminding everyone that only a short time remained in the match.
The reminder drew Kai's attention to the points displayed overhead. Gil still held a clear lead, with nearly twice as many points.
Kai's eyes narrowed. He had to turn the battle around here.
"Breloom, Solar Beam!"
"Breeee…!"
A golden-white light began gathering around Breloom.
Seeing the opportunity, Gil instantly gave his command.
"Charmeleon, Flamethrower! Full power! Don't let it charge!"
"Char!"
Charmeleon took a deep breath before unleashing a roaring stream of crimson-orange flames across the battlefield.
The Flamethrower struck Breloom before Solar Beam could fully charge, interrupting the attack. The golden-white energy Breloom had gathered scattered harmlessly into countless glowing particles of light as the flames engulfed the Grass-type Pokémon.
"Brelooom!"
Breloom cried out in pain and collapsed onto the stage.
At the same moment, Kai's remaining points dropped to zero.
A loud chime echoed throughout the contest hall as the judges' display lit up with a red cross.
The female announcer's excited voice rang out across the arena.
"Breloom is unable to continue! The winner of this match is Gil and Charmeleon!"
Thunderous applause erupted from the audience.
Charmeleon stood proudly at the center of the stage, breathing a little heavily but with the flame on her tail burning just as brightly as before.
Gil walked over and gently patted her head.
"You did well, girl."
Charmeleon leaned into his hand with a low, loving rumble, her tail flame flickering warmly as she pressed closer.
"Char~♡"
After the match, Gil and Kai shook hands before Gil returned to the contestant area to watch the remaining battles unfold on the big screen.
Soon, it was time for the second Battle Round.
His next opponent was difficult to predict, having used several different Pokémon in past Contests. Unsure of which Pokémon he would choose, Gil decided to go with Eevee.
His opponent sent out Pikachu.
Once again, Eevee's clever use of her moves secured Gil another victory, advancing him to the next round.
In his third match, Gil chose Scyther. His opponent fought alongside a powerful Machoke, but Scyther's speed and precision earned him the win.
With three consecutive victories, Gil had successfully advanced to the finals.
His final opponent was a coordinator named Elara.
As her name was announced, she stepped gracefully onto the stage and tossed her Poké Ball into the air.
"Ninetales, let's give them a beautiful performance!"
A flash of soft light bloomed across the battlefield as an elegant Alolan Ninetales appeared. Its snow-white fur shimmered beneath the stage lights while its flowing tails swayed gracefully behind it…