Mawile had garnered a lot of favor from the judges, resulting in high praise for the techniques led by it.
It seems almost certain now.
Meanwhile.
Xiaoguang quickly snapped back from Mega Mawile's performance. She noticed it hadn't used Electromagnetic Levitation and was currently falling, knowing this was a perfect chance for target practice!
"Air Slash! Water Cannon!"
"Chisi!"
In mid-air, Togekiss danced gracefully, a sky-blue airflow converging into a sphere at the tip of its wings, suddenly flying forward with its rapid motion.
"Pokémon!"
Piplup followed suit, raising its head as a torrent of azure water gushed out from its beak, striking the tail end of Air Slash like a heavy hammer.
Bang!
A dull sound echoed.
The sky-blue Air Slash exploded into a cross-shaped airflow, wrapped in high-pressure water bullets, rushing toward the falling Mega Mawile!
The sudden attack made Vivian exclaim.
"Such a fast technique combination—"
Before she could finish.
A long snake-like figure appeared in front of Mega Mawile, revealing an Altered-color Milotic, its body glowing with iridescent waves!
"Milo~"
Bam!
The airflow bullet struck Altered-color Milotic heavily, yet strangely didn't explode, instead being absorbed into that iridescent light.
In an instant.
An even larger airflow bullet was created by the iridescence, spinning toward Togekiss and Piplup!
"Chisi!?"
"Pokémon!?"
Both Pokémon and Xiaoguang watched in disbelief.
But fortunately, Togekiss reacted swiftly, using the classic [Cobra Maneuver] to dodge this rather deadly counterattack.
Vivian excitedly shouted, "Altered-color Milotic's impressive bounce and timely Mirror Reflection blocked the attack for its partner!"
Both sides had points deducted.
It's a pity that although the Mirror Reflection was timely, the blocking wasn't elegant enough, and the counterattack didn't hit, so Xiaoguang's score only decreased to about two-thirds.
"Chido~"
"Milo~"
Mega Mawile and Altered-color Milotic landed together, calmly gazing at their two opponents in the sky.
If it were a month ago, it would have impulsively rushed over; the defense and counterattack strategy wasn't to its taste.
But after receiving guidance from Adam, Mikoli, and Gym Pokémon, it gradually discovered the allure of defense and counterattack—
The restraint of a lady.
So even though Togekiss was perfectly positioned in the sky to fly up and punch twice, Mega Mawile held back, determined to finish this match with a gorgeous technique.
Elsewhere.
Xiaoguang looked at Contestant Baimu with lingering fear; she hadn't anticipated Altered-color Milotic's bounce to be so strong, almost as if it could fly.
If she got hit, her score would be in danger.
Xiaoguang understood that Baimu was a contestant skilled in counterattacks, normally wouldn't actively attack.
But now with her score lower, she had to act and deduct the opponent's score for victory; otherwise, she was bound to lose later.
"I must control my own rhythm!"
Let's go!
She didn't believe Piplup's techniques would be countered every time; if slow doesn't work, go fast!
She wasn't that novice little girl anymore!
Absolutely no problem!
She shouted, "Frozen Beam! Divine Speed!"
"Chisi!"
"Piplup~"
Togekiss and Piplup in the air quickly responded, the former enveloped in bright white energy, accelerating to a degree imperceptible to the naked eye.
Crack!
A crisp sound as Togekiss transformed into white light then ice blue.
A never-seen-before technique? A flash of intuition?
Baimu didn't dare delay, quickly commanding.
"Flame Fang! Tide Spin!"
In fact, Mega Mawile didn't need verbal commands to act; the real need for guidance was for Altered-color Milotic.
"Chido~"
Mega Mawile's giant jaw behind its head emitted flames as it leaped to Altered-color Milotic's front on one leg, spinning to form a Flame Vortex.
Altered-color Milotic's speed was slightly slower, yet it too had tried its best to summon a water vortex.
About to swing and merge with the Flame Vortex.
All of a sudden.
A large, icy bird appeared, crashing fiercely into the Flame Vortex created by Mega Mawile!
"Now! Charge!"
Xiaoguang shouted loudly, as Togekiss, enhanced by Divine Speed, successfully broke through the dividing point of the water and fire before they merged, like a foreign object thrown into two reagents about to undergo a chemical reaction.
"Chirp——!!"
"Piplup——!!"
The two Pokémon roared desperately, trying to break through Mega Mawile's flame defense.
Opportunities are fleeting, and they must seize them firmly!
At this moment.
A whirlpool from above touched Togekiss's crystal-clear surface, instantly freezing into a huge icy vortex!
In the next moment.
The ice vortex shattered with a bang.
Immediately, Togekiss and Piplup were also flung backward!
"Chirp hiss!"
"Piplup!"
The two Pokémon let out cries of pain.
Vivian shouted, "Contestant Baimu's combination move failed! But Togekiss and Piplup were flung away! It seems the power of their combination move couldn't withstand Mawile! What's happening?"
As she said.
Baimu's Water and Fire Fusion Skill, meant for defense, couldn't be executed in time.
The Divine Speed was indeed too fast, even faster than what he observed from a third-person perspective in competition recordings.
It wasn't until he witnessed Xiaoguang's Divine Speed Combo in person that he realized how much more powerful this move was in the game, with its Priority +2, compared to ordinary speed-enhancing skills.
Additionally, the Altered-color Milotic, without the Mind Chain boost, reacted slower...
If it were a single battle, Baimu's daily-trained Milotic wouldn't need too many commands to react automatically.
However, in this double battle format, with many combinations of moves, Baimu had to give verbal reminders.
In a way, it caused a delay in seizing the opportunity.
However, Togekiss and Piplup couldn't capitalize on that small opportunity... Mega Mawile is indeed too strong, able to face both opponents head-on.
This style of play just doesn't score high...
Baimu glanced at his score, quickly approaching half, and realized that Togekiss breaking through his unformed Water and Fire Fusion Skill caused him to lose a lot of points.
Xiaoguang's total score had fallen below half, but overall, his deductions were even higher.
The Gorgeous Competition is like this.
Unless you defeat the opponent outright, any counter that isn't gorgeous won't earn high points, no matter if the other can barely stand afterward from a heavy blow.
"I have to be more proactive."
Baimu realized that if Togekiss and Piplup withstand a bit more, a few more moves like this and the previously stable situation could become dangerous.
"Don't worry about it! We still have plenty of opportunities! That wasn't your fault!"
He comforted the Altered-color Milotic, whose head was unconsciously lowered.
"Milotic!"
Mawile also signaled it to stay calm using the two large jaws on its back of its head.
Seeing this, the Altered-color Milotic slightly lifted its head, nodding seriously with a "Milotic!"
It must compensate for the points loss earlier!
On the other side.
Xiaoguang fell silent for a moment.
The slightly overpowered strength of Mega Mawile made her realize what true disparity meant.
If Baimu wasn't trying to fight the entire Gorgeous Competition using a gorgeous battle style, maybe she would have lost already?
Xiaoguang wasn't sure.
However.
She knew she absolutely didn't want to admit defeat just like that!
"Get up! Togekiss! Piplup! Feather Rest! Tide Spin!"
"Chirp hiss——"
Togekiss stumbled to its feet, countless pure white feathers flying in the air and landing on its body.
As the active attacker, it was more severely injured.
Piplup, staying on its back, was relatively better.
"Piplup~"
Piplup summoned a huge whirlpool as a barrier to shield Togekiss.
Baimu would never sit back and watch Togekiss recover.
"Tide Spin! Frozen Fist!"
"Milotic~"
Altered-color Milotic raised its head and let out a long call, as an azure whirlpool above its head kept expanding, expanding—gradually growing larger than Piplup's Tide Spin!
It absolutely must make up for the earlier mistake!
Absolutely!
Its gaze was firm, influenced by intense emotions, and the Attribute Energy within it seemed to boil!