"What a massive water vortex!"
Vivian's voice drew the audience's attention.
The enormous Tide Spin, occupying almost one-third of the stage under the control of Altered-color Milotic's tail fin, caused countless gasps from the crowd.
"Tch…"
Mega Mawile glanced up at the Tide Spin covering the sky, then looked at the Altered-color Milotic, bathed in sunlight through the water vortex, its body seemingly adorned with a layer of ethereal radiance.
Milotic's pale blue, hair-like fins moved on their own in the absence of wind, exuding a captivating allure in the height of focus.
But more than all of that.
Mawile was more concerned with the gaze from Altered-color Milotic.
Those attractive eyes seemed to shout, shouting about the unwilling loss of huge points, the remorse of not meeting the expectations of its Trainer and partner, a determination to decisively defeat the opponent—
How deafeningly intense.
Mega Mawile's gaze trembled, and the previously unsteady Heart Lake rippled.
Indeed.
Over-attachment to the loss of points a moment ago was immature.
They, in possession of the overall advantage, should defeat their opponents with a more splendid and graceful demeanor, with no need for emotional ups and downs over a few points.
Show the grace of a lady.
Yet.
It was because they lost those points.
Not a mere coincidence.
Nor a disastrous misfortune.
Simply due to their own immaturity, those points were seized by Togekiss and Piplup, finding the breakthrough through sheer strength!
The failure of the Water and Fire Fusion Skill was never just Altered-color Milotic's fault!
What grace of a lady!
This was merely an excuse for failing to perfectly combine elegance and strength, having to reduce power for enough visual spectacle.
Mikoli's Pokémon never need to "weaken" themselves for the Gorgeous Competition!
Clack, clack...
Mega Mawile clenched its fists tightly, suddenly a voice emerged in its heart.
『Then what are you waiting for?』
Amazed, it turned back to see the Trainer pointing a single hand to Togekiss and Piplup, obscured by the Tide Spin water wall, eyes full of gentleness and affirmation.
Yes.
If it couldn't be done before, start doing it now!
Do it!
Real battles are the best teacher!
Its body instinctively leapt into the air, fists gripping the ice-blue Frozen Qi, swinging towards the giant Tide Spin sitting atop Altered-color Milotic's tail!
Stsss—
The cold stream quickly spread!
Strangely, the giant Tide Spin merged with the chilling Frozen Qi did not immediately solidify into a funnel-shaped ice mountain, but merely adorned its surface with an ice-blue aura, making it even more radiant.
In an instant.
The dazzling cold stream vortex shone brilliantly, seemingly even dimming the sunlight.
The audience was deeply moved, and Vivian loudly announced:
"Mawile and Milotic have once again shown their harmony! This is the double battle! Trainer coordination with Pokémon! Pokémon coordination with Pokémon!"
As it descended.
The gaze of Mega Mawile and Altered-color Milotic collided, their prolonged training sparing excessive words.
The latter cried aloud!
"Mii~lo!"
Transforming its resentment and longing into a drive, breaking down the barriers blocking its path!
"Break it!"
The Trainer's voice rendered Altered-color Milotic's actions more resolute.
It swung its tail forcefully, the massive cold stream vortex began to contract and stretch upward, transforming into a terrifying Ice Dragon Tornado soaring tens of meters high in just a breath!
Xiaoguang's expression shifted suddenly, "No—"
But the Ice Dragon Tornado had already plummeted like a frigid ice peak towering in the poles!
Bang!
The Tide Spin in front of Piplup and Togekiss instantly collapsed, as if the waves were effortlessly torn apart by a storm.
Behind the Tide Spin, the two hadn't had a chance to react when they were lifted into the sky by the ascending cold stream at the Ice Dragon Tornado's apex!
"Chiii—"
"Piplup—"
The two Pokémon let out cries of panic and pain.
The Ice Dragon Tornado slowly dissipated.
"Tch…"
Mega Mawile felt a sweeping clarity before its eyes, with the barrier formed by the Tide Spin now vanished.
Under the sunshine, Togekiss and Piplup's expressions were exceptionally vivid, their frantic attempts to regain balance comically slowed.
A clear path to the opponent appeared before it.
『Opportunity has come!』
A familiar voice rang in its mind.
"Tch…"
Mega Mawile slightly stepped its right foot back, lowering the center of gravity of its entire body, a gradually serious expression denoting a heightened state of focus.
It wanted to amalgamate strength and beauty… in their entirety!
On the other side.
"Piplup! Togekiss!"
Xiaoguang raised her head, shouting to verify the condition of the two.
Though unable to fully utilize Feather Rest, their stamina should have been restored considerably, and Altered-color Milotic's cold stream vortex shouldn't be enough to jointly defeat the two Pokémon.
Indeed, she quickly noticed both Togekiss and Piplup trying to regain their balance.
"Come on! Fly up there just like that!"
Xiaoguang swiftly issued instructions, having glimpsed the dawn of victory, knowing perseverance would lead to ultimate triumph.
Baimu was stronger than during the previous battle, so strong she could barely catch up.
Yet, as long as hope remained, she would never give up!
As Xiaoguang thought, the moment her peripheral vision caught the distant Mega Mawile setting up some fighting stance, a chill surged through her heart.
Something was coming!
Years of Gorgeous Competition experience and intuitive sixth sense were frantically pricking Xiaoguang's nerves, even making her forget about the countdown and the deducted points.