The following contestants went on stage one after another, each bringing their own unique style and clever creativity to the performance:
Some guided their Oddish to weave a miniature flower field using Leech Seed + Sweet Scent, the drifting fragrance making the entire stage feel like a spring garden.
Others commanded their Geodude to use Defense Curl + Rock Tomb, constructing a small rocky mound so realistic that, if not for the slight color difference, it would have been nearly impossible to find where the Geodude was hiding.
These performances each had their own highlights, yet none managed to surpass the adorable peak that Contestant No. 1's Skitty had created earlier.
The atmosphere remained steady, but a faint expectation lingered in the air—waiting for the next true shock.
It wasn't until Contestant No. 32, Armani, stepped onto the stage that the previously calm hall was instantly ignited.
Flareon stood confidently at the center of the stage, still wearing that proud, fiery aura.
Its fluffy tail burned with orange flames, each sway releasing bursts of scorching heat.
"Flareon—Flaming Swift!"
But unlike the usual Swift, Flareon's flames surged first before it released the move.
From its mouth, instead of ordinary golden stars, shot forth gold-red stars wrapped in a thin coat of flames.
Countless blazing meteors spiraled overhead, each leaving a dazzling flaming trail across the air.
"So beautiful! Is this a fusion move between Swift and Flamethrower? Incredible!"
Host Kotaro couldn't stop himself from exclaiming, disbelief woven into his voice.
"Quick Attack!"
Flareon's body suddenly turned into a streak of red light—
stepping directly onto the glowing star-trails still floating in the air!
Each step landed on a burning star, causing it to burst into a tiny fire plume, lifting Flareon higher and higher until it reached the upper air above the stage.
Then—
A powerful blaze erupted around its entire body, swelling in an instant.
Flareon became a blazing fireball, diving downward like a meteor racing toward the ground!
"Woooaaah—!"
The audience collectively held their breath.
Many even raised their hands to cover their mouths in shock.
Just when the fiery mass was about to crash into the stage—
Flareon twisted mid-air, pulling the flames back with precise control.
The burning aura faded instantly, leaving only a thin layer of sparkling embers coating its fur.
It landed lightly, as gently as a falling feather, steady and graceful at the very center of the stage.
Then it lifted its head and let out a clear, proud cry toward the audience.
In the judges' panel, Wallace's eyes flashed with approval as he nodded and commented:
"Transforming Swift's trajectory into stepping platforms, using Quick Attack's speed to execute an aerial dive, and finally controlling the flames with such precision—this performance surpasses the first round's creativity. The flame control in particular has improved significantly."
Armani had clearly gone all out for this second-round review and successfully earned a perfect score.
As he stepped down, he glanced toward Theo with a subtle hint of provocation in his eyes.
Soon it was Grace's turn.
Medicham maintained its elegant posture, sharp gaze unwavering. This time, however, its two fists shone with completely different auras.
Its left fist burned with bright, fierce flames.
Its right fist shimmered with cold, unyielding ice.
"Medicham—Psychic! Combine Fire Punch and Ice Punch!"
At Grace's cool, crisp command, Medicham swung its left fist forward, flames blooming from its knuckles, forming a burning lotus.
Its right fist followed, cold air swirling as a crystalline lotus of ice blossomed.
Punch after punch, the stage quickly filled with dozens of flame-lotus and ice-lotus blooms.
Half were burning red, half were shimmering blue, circling gracefully around Medicham like an orbiting galaxy.
"This is… adding Ice Punch to the combination from round one?"
"Fire and ice working together so perfectly? Amazing!"
Suddenly, Medicham pressed its hands together in a prayer pose.
All the flame lotuses and ice lotuses responded, drifting toward it as if drawn by invisible strings.
The fire lotuses merged into a massive blazing red lotus.
The ice lotuses condensed into a giant blue lotus.
The two enormous flowers rotated slowly in front of Medicham.
Where the flames and frost met, soft sizzling sounds echoed—
forming a misty veil of white vapor.
"Bloom, Fire-Ice Crimson Lotus!"
At Grace's command, blue light flared in Medicham's eyes.
The twin giant lotuses collided—not with an explosion, but with a radiant fusion of flame and frost, turning into a cascade of brilliant light.
Red sparks and blue ice crystals danced like countless gemstones, swirling together before forming—
A floating lotus.
Half red, half blue.
Suspended in mid-air, glowing magnificently.
"Unbelievable! So, this is the true strength of last year's Top 4 of the Grand Festival!"
"Fire and ice… fused perfectly! Not a single clash!"
Mr. Contesta pushed his glasses up, voice filled with rare excitement:
"The control over fire-type and ice-type energy is excellent! Maintaining the delicate balance needed to prevent any energy leak during the collision, this requires deep mastery of both elements. Remarkable—simply remarkable!"
Unsurprisingly, Grace also earned a perfect score.
She stepped down with her usual composed expression, but the light in her eyes betrayed her fierce determination to win.
The performances continued, each contestant showing their best—
but none could shake the overwhelming impact left by Armani and Grace.
After their astonishing displays, the audience's expectations rose to the absolute peak.
Nearly everyone stared toward the contestants' waiting area, waiting for Contestant No. 86—Theo.
Theo sat quietly, fingertips brushing over Feebas's Poké Ball.
The little one, sensing his anticipation, bumped the inside of the ball lightly, making a soft tapping noise.
"Ready, Feebas?" Theo whispered.
The Poké Ball vibrated with cheerful eagerness, as if nodding energetically.
The livestream chat had already exploded:
"Three more contestants until the streamer's turn! I'm rubbing my hands in excitement!"
"What combination will Feebas use this time?! Can it surpass the Ice-Fire Lotus?!"
"He HAS to outperform Armani and Grace! Waiting for a legendary performance!"
At last, Kotaro's voice echoed across the hall:
"Next—Contestant No. 86, Theo, and his partner Feebas!"
Spotlights converged on Theo instantly.
The roar of the audience surged like crashing waves—deafening and overwhelming.
Theo rose slowly, walking to the stage edge with measured calm.
He lifted his Poké Ball, a confident smile curving his lips.
"Our turn."
A burst of red light flashed.
Feebas appeared at the center of the stage—its purple body glistening beautifully under the spotlights.
With a gentle swish of its tail, a thin layer of water spread across the ground, forming a smooth mirror-like surface.
The water cradled Feebas gently, making it look as though it were seated atop a small water mirror—calm, balanced, elegant.
Theo inhaled deeply.
A sharp gleam flashed in his eyes.
His voice rose powerfully, filled with expectation and certainty:
"Then—let's begin! Feebas, show everyone here the ultimate elegance of WATER and ICE!"
(End of Chapter)