"Judge Fantina leads with her signature Pokémon, Drifblim!"
The announcer's voice boomed:
"And Judge Natsume counters with his stunning Sylveon!"
The two Pokémon faced off on stage.
Wallace steepled his fingers, emerald-green hair brushing his ears, his gaze profound.
Even with his discerning eye, he found it difficult to immediately assess which had the advantage.
Drifblim—trained under the dancer Fantina—had reached the pinnacle of Contest artistry.
But Natsume's Sylveon... was simply too adorable!
"Sylveon~!" Sylveon blinked its sapphire Baby-Doll Eyes, its snowy fur pristine.
The crowd erupted in cheers at Sylveon's appearance.
Yellow's eyes sparkled. "It's just... too cute~ www"
"Poffins and Pokéblocks can enhance a Pokémon's Contest appeal," Jasmine explained softly, gazing reverently at the elegant figure on stage.
"I never realized Natsume-sensei was truly a Top Coordinator..."
"Go Natsume-sensei!!" Ash's shout was drowned in the sea of cheers.
Green's eyes suddenly lit up.
Maybe... I should sell Sylveon merchandise instead?
The Contest Battle began in earnest!
As the countdown on the big screen hit zero, both sides launched their attacks!
Fantina raised her right hand in a ballet-like pose, smiling but with sharp eyes.
"Drifblim, Confuse Ray!"
Instantly, Drifblim's spinning created a mesmerizing display of afterimages.
Like shifting stage lights, the Confuse Ray shot toward Sylveon—guaranteed to inflict confusion!
The audience roared. Ash gasped:
"Is that... Counter Shield?!"
On TV, Ash's "Counter Shield" technique had been named by Fantina herself.
This Contest-style strategy was executed flawlessly in her hands!
"Using rotation to expand Confuse Ray's range and accuracy," Chairman Contesta remarked, his stern face showing rare approval.
"Fantina's coordination skills are impeccable!"
"However..."
Wallace's eyes narrowed with a knowing smile.
"In Contest Battles, one must also consider how the opponent might utilize your moves."
Contesta blinked.
Looking back at the field, he saw the entire stage now shrouded in a hazy mist.
Light filtering through the fog cast an ethereal glow on Sylveon.
"With Mist Terrain active, Confuse Ray can't inflict confusion on Sylveon," Wallace observed, his grin widening.
"He predicted Fantina's move and repurposed it..."
Contesta nodded. "And aesthetically, the mist combined with Drifblim's spinning Confuse Ray..."
"Would deduct massive points under scoring criteria!"
Gasps filled the arena as Drifblim's style points plummeted on the giant screen!
Seasoned Coordinators couldn't help but curse under their breaths.
"He turned the opponent's move against them—instant point reversal!"
"Stealing a Top Coordinator's techniques right to her face!"
"Since when did Natsume-sensei master Contest Battles?!"
"What do style points mean?" Yellow tilted her head. "I just saw Drifblim's move fail..."
Jasmine explained quietly: "In Contest Battles, judges award style points based on elegance and execution."
"Mistakes, or when the opponent repurposes your moves beautifully, cause major deductions."
"But what if you defeat the opponent instantly?" Green asked.
"Eh?" Jasmine blinked. "Well, theoretically..."
Could one maintain elegance while delivering a one-hit KO?
Or—
Jasmine held her breath, watching the misty battlefield.
The handsome Trainer's coat fluttered dramatically in the swirling currents.
Fantina felt an inexplicable chill as Sylveon bared its teeth cutely.
"Sylveon! (▼皿▼#)"
A drop of sweat trailed down Fantina's neck toward her collarbone.
"No way..."
An absurd thought struck her.
Would he really use his style point lead to brute-force a victory?
Sacrificing points to knock out Drifblim outright—
Securing victory by default when Drifblim fainted?!
Fantina pressed a gloved finger to her lips, studying Natsume before shaking her head with a laugh.
I'm overthinking it~
A gentleman like him wouldn't resort to such tactics!
Natsume was absolutely thinking exactly that:
"Sylveon, Quick Attack!"
A streak of white light shot across the stage.
Before anyone could react—
Boosted by Pixilate, the Quick Attack became a blinding flash.
Sylveon leaped, ribbons slashing across Drifblim's body with surgical precision!
Natsume snapped his fingers: "Double-Edge!"
"Sylveon!! （｀へ´）"
Using Quick Attack's momentum, Sylveon slammed into Drifblim, ribbons blazing white!
Such devastating power from such a small frame.
Fantina's throat tightened as she bit her lip.
In one collision, Drifblim deflated like a balloon, crashing to the ground defeated!
By Contest rules, unrefined moves and taking hits meant point deductions.
Both sides' style points dropped sharply.
After a stunned silence—the arena exploded in cheers!
In Sylveon's reckless charge, the audience saw unexpected beauty.
"I get it! Natsume-sensei sacrificed points so Fantina could send out her next Pokémon!"
"Right... in an exhibition match, ending it too fast would be anticlimactic."
"Is this Natsume-sensei's unique Contest style?"
At the judges' panel—
Chairman Contesta frowned at Wallace.
"This clashes with traditional Contest philosophy. I deducted points accordingly."
"Not my style either."
Wallace specialized in Water-types' grace and resilience, not Fairy-types' whimsical speed.
Like a Galarian fairy tale where Sylveon tackles a dragon ten times its size.
Perhaps this represented a new school of Coordinating.
Wallace smiled warmly. "Though I founded these Contests, they shouldn't be limited to one style."
"Quite the opposite—I admire Natsume-sensei's approach. Having him judge may inspire new Coordinators."
Contesta looked surprised.
He'd never heard Wallace praise someone so highly.
Was it just differing philosophies?
No—Contesta realized.
It was that unique command style.
Simultaneously elegant yet ruthlessly pragmatic.
"No wonder so many call him 'Natsume-sensei.'"
Contesta murmured.
After this duel with Fantina—
A new faction of Coordinators might emerge under his influence!
Contesta studied the dashing young man on stage.
"Let me... observe another round."
...
Cheers thundered as the crowd roared.
"I see..."
Fantina recalled her fainted Drifblim, closing her eyes.
"Abandoning flashy moves to showcase the Pokémon's raw beauty... an unorthodox but effective technique."
But this is also my specialty!
She reopened her eyes with a twirl of her gown. "Mismagius, take the stage!"
The purple phantom emerged—red gem-like eyes gleaming, its form elegant yet eerie.
Though Mismagius typically bewildered foes with cries, Fantina's had mastered devastating Ghost-type attacks!
"Shadow Ball!"
Dark energy coalesced before Mismagius—a swirling vortex of destruction with haunting beauty.
The Shadow Ball hurtled forth, trailing inky tendrils before detonating violently!
Natsume: "Quick Attack, evade!"
Sylveon dodged gracefully, but the Shadow Ball curved relentlessly toward it!
BOOM!!!
Black smoke billowed—Fantina would lose points for excessive force.
But from the smoke emerged ghostly Will-O-Wisps, glittering like diamonds on velvet.
Her style points skyrocketed instead!
The audience buzzed as mist swirled.
"Did they trade knockouts?"
"That move combo was gorgeous! Classic Fantina!"
Amid applause, Fantina curtsied elegantly.
Contesta clapped approvingly. "A masterful display."
Wallace gazed at the dispersing smoke. "Indeed... though it's not over yet."
As the smoke cleared—
A radiant Light Screen shimmered, violet energy rippling across its surface.
Sylveon stood proudly behind it, utterly unharmed.
"Sylveon~"
Fantina's eyes widened.
"No damage at all?!"
That was Mismagius's full-power Shadow Ball!
She'd offset point losses with artistry—but the attack's potency was undiminished!
Yet Sylveon had blocked it flawlessly—with breathtaking style!
"That Light Screen is stunning..."
"Now I understand why Coordinators chase beauty!"
"He tanked the hit on purpose to gain points!!"
Fantina checked the scoreboard—
Her hard-earned lead had vanished, putting her on the brink of defeat!
Though an exhibition, she treated this as a true challenge!
"Mismagius—"
She clenched her fists. "Phantom Force!!"
As a Ghost-type leader, Fantina excelled at misdirection.
More crucially—Phantom Force bypassed defenses entirely!
Mismagius vanished into shadows—
Only for the entire stage to flood with blinding light!
ZAP!
Dazzling Gleam illuminated every corner—nowhere to hide!
"Sylveon!! (#｀皿′)"
Sylveon leaped, ribbons slashing with Psyshock—visible shockwaves rippling through the air!
BZZT!
As the buzzer sounded—Fantina's points hit zero.
Simultaneously, Mismagius collapsed, defeated!
"Sylveon~ o(′^｀)o"
Sylveon landed daintily, bow swaying.
That snow-white elegance burned into every spectator's memory.
The arena erupted in standing ovations!
"Now THIS is a Top Coordinator!!"
"Outplaying Fantina at her own game? Typical Natsume-sensei!"
"Sylveon~~! Mommy loves you!"
"Both judges showcased true mastery!" the announcer declared.
"After a short break—our first contestant takes the stage!"
As spotlights shifted, Natsume and Fantina shook hands.
The exhibition match had concluded spectacularly.
With this dazzling opener, the Wallace Cup was off to an unforgettable start.
Inspired by the masters' display, contestants vowed to claim the Aqua Ribbon.
Even Jessie, watching from the sidelines through binoculars, pumped her fist:
"As the Executive's apprentice, I can't embarrass him now!"
"He never actually trained you, meow~"
"Meowth, you're performing with me later!"
"Nooo meow! Send Wobbuffet instead!"
"Wobbuffet~!"
...
Natsume escorted Fantina back to the judges' panel with perfect etiquette.
The mysterious, powerful man had thoroughly intrigued her.
Though...
The thought of such a Trainer challenging her gym made Fantina shiver.
Rubbing her chin, she mused:
"Maybe I should just give him the Ancient Ruins Badge now... save the trouble."
Seated between Chairman Contesta and Champion Wallace—
Natsume nodded politely as Wallace leaned over.
"Natsume-sensei, Steven's spoken highly of you."
So you two meet often?
This was Ruby's mentor from the Special Editions: Gem series—
The gentle, responsible Wallace who'd taken the champion mantle from Steven.
(Incidentally, Wallace was dating Hoenn's Flying-type leader Winona—
While other regions' leaders struggled financially, Hoenn reeked of privilege!)
Natsume acknowledged the compliment—
When suddenly, a long-absent notification chimed:
[Ding! Achievement "First Contest Battle" unlocked!]
[Reward: Orange Item ×1, Random Poké Ball ×1!]
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