If it remained still, it was fine, but once it moved, its protective color was completely exposed!
"Starmie, use Magic Brilliance!"
Gao Mei's expression changed, and she quickly abandoned her disguise to choose an action.
Starmie, leaning against the stone pillar, revealed its form as its core gem lit up with an incomparably dazzling brilliance, shooting out like tangible steel needles towards the Dreepys!
Who would have thought these Dreepys wouldn't dodge or avoid, instead charging straight into Magic Brilliance as if walking into a trap!
Bang!
Countless bubbles burst underwater, sending spray flying up!
Amidst the spray, Starmie attempted to move using the aftershock of the explosion.
The commentator shouted, "True and False Dragon Arrows collided with Magic Brilliance, pushing Starmie out from the water—wait! There's another strike!"
Amidst the dense bubbles, Sister Dragapult burst out of the water, screeching fervently towards Starmie!
The latter couldn't dodge in time!
Boom!
A deep, muffled sound!
Smoke billowed as Starmie smashed through it into the water, its beautiful core gem began flashing like Ultraman's timer.
"Starmie, hold on!"
Gao Mei screamed, hastily yelling, "Quick, use Self-Rebirth!"
Starmie, submerged in water, immediately emitted white light, yet Dragapult is a Pokémon that acts as one, using Dragon Arrow without waiting for the Dreepy to return to the launch tube before attacking.
Baimu snapped his fingers, "It's over, Dragon's Pulse!"
Countless Dragapult mouths opened in the sky, brewing blue and crimson flames, moments later the blazing dragons rushed down!
Though only one Energy Giant Dragon was real among them, the sight of dragons diving into the water was incredibly spectacular, making the audience unconsciously hold their breath.
Boom!!
A sky-high water column surged!
Gao Mei clearly saw Starmie mixed in the water column, evidently hit!
"Starmie!"
The water spray fell.
Revealing a floating and sinking Starmie, turned away from the sky, its core gem's condition unclear.
The referee stepped forward to confirm, then blew the whistle, "Starmie has lost its ability to battle!"
"Another one down! Contestant Baimu and Dragapult advance triumphantly! Does Contestant Gao Mei still have a chance for a comeback!?" The commentator's voice was full of passion.
Buzz!
The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause, many gazing in amazement as the shadow clone dissipated, leaving Dragapult and the returning Dreepys.
Such powerful Pokémon...!
Many did not expect Dragapult to be so agile, the two Dreepys atop its head not only detach remotely but also act as conscious missiles, catching opponents off guard!
The recent Dragon Arrow was clearly a tactic where one Dreepy acted as bait to block techniques, the other attacked, and finally Dragapult's attack finished it off.
It perfectly mastered the speed increased by Dragon Dance, becoming remarkably agile and confusing Starmie.
"..."
Gao Mei solemnly withdrew her Starmie.
She initially believed that no matter what, she could at least force Baimu's second Pokémon into the fray, but unexpectedly, the opponent left no chance.
The Pokémon and trainer are extremely coordinated, and their offensive strategy is impeccable, greatly surpassing her in strength.
No chance to battle Milotic?
She sighed inwardly; among Baimu's Pokémon, the one she most wanted to battle was undoubtedly that stunningly beautiful altered-color Milotic.
...No.
How can she demoralize herself?
Gao Mei patted her cheeks, thinking as a trainer who has seen many scenarios over the years, how could she be fazed now?
Even if she's sure to lose, she has to fight with all her strength! Only then will she not be ashamed of the efforts she and her Pokémon have made over the years!
"Go! The last round is all up to you!"
Bang!
White light flickered.
A massive Gyarados dropped into the pool, its expression fierce as it roared at Dragapult!
"Roar!"
Intimidating Trait!
"Waddles..."
Dragapult's demeanor was serious, slightly affected.
Unlike Aggron, it wasn't as carefree; for those daring to provoke it, it responds with thunderous strikes, as seen when it first encountered Baimu.
"Dragon Arrow."
Bang bang!
White smoke sprayed from behind Dragapult's head, two Dreepys surrounded by azure light shrieked, darting out like small fighter jets.
Gao Mei quickly responded, "Gale!"
Her commands had become more concise than before, as Gyarados was her ace. Their tacit understanding meant they didn't need detailed exchanges to grasp each other's intentions.
"Roar—"
Gyarados let out a loud roar, releasing fierce winds from its body, transforming into streams of high-speed air currents visible to the naked eye!
"Hee-ya—"
The two Dreepys charged forward with all their might.
Who would have thought, despite having Dragon Attribute Energy as fuel, they were still blown askew by the fierce wind due to their small mass, making it difficult to approach Gyarados.
Baimu was surprised that the Dreepys couldn't break through, "Oh?"
The Gale unleashed by this Special Attack was stronger than he predicted. No wonder it could suppress Corsola's Mirror Reflection with Destructive Beam back then.
It's a pity that Dragapult's Dragon Dance doesn't affect Dreepy; otherwise, the Gale would definitely be unstoppable.
The commentator and audience were also stunned, "The Gale blocked Dragapult's offensive! Incredible! Contestant Gao Mei cracked the rapid Dragon Arrow!"
"Frozen Fang!"
Gao Mei quickly waved her hand, attempting to interfere with Dreepy's return to Dragapult's launch port.
"Roar!"
Gyarados opened its menacing maw wide, forming four sharp, ice-blue ice cones, exhaling cold air as it swooped towards the two Dreepys!
However.
This seemingly intended to bite the two Dreepys, but in reality, it was a diversion, waiting until it approached the incoming Dragapult before viciously biting down!
Dragapult deftly turned and dodged; the speed increase from Dragon Dance wasn't for nothing. Gyarados was still far from biting it!
Baimu ordered, "Invisibility."
The three Dragapults above the pool vanished upon command.
Gao Mei was taken aback, "Another Hidden Spirit Strike? Quick, use Tornado!"
"Roar!"
Gyarados growled low, its serpentine body spinning in place, a deep blue whirlwind rising and lifting the pool's water into the sky!
In an instant.
A massive water spout formed, covering most of the arena, exuding a world-destroying momentum.
Baimu wasn't a stranger to this technique—both he and Adam had used it before, and it was a frequent sight at the Gorgeous Competition.
Clearly, even if Gao Mei wasn't planning on participating in the Gorgeous Competition, she intended to draw from its techniques.
One must admit, this move seemed to be merely about combining Tornado and water, but in practice, it was an all-around technique, just like Ash's Counterattack Shield.
As long as Gyarados spun fast enough, its power wouldn't be lacking.
But maintaining it this way wouldn't last long.
Gao Mei likely thought it could fend off some specific move from Dragapult.
Yet she didn't know Dragapult's Invisibility and Ghost Attribute's elusive nature differed from General Attribute's protective color.
"Why hasn't it appeared yet..."
As Baimu predicted, Gao Mei hadn't spotted Dragapult within her line of sight for a long time, her expression growing anxious.
Could it also use protective color?
Her lack of understanding of Dragapult made it hard for her to imagine that even in Invisibility, some Pokémon move without being noticed, requiring other strategies.
Moments later.
The water spout gradually subsided, and Gyarados couldn't hold out much longer.
Baimu knew the chance had arrived, "Hundred Thousand Volts!"
As Gyarados was gasping for air and searching for its opponent, even preparing to dive into the water, a ghostly fighter jet suddenly plunged down from high above, its entire body flashing with electric light.
Gao Mei's pupils dilated, "Gyarados, dodge quickly!"
But Dragapult's speed was too much for it to dodge; it could only open its mouth wide, watching as the opponent directly dove its head into its mouth, its body shining with bright lightning!
Zi!!
Electric currents exploded!
The light blue electricity twisted Gyarados' body, stars appearing in its eyes. A quadruple weakness to Electric made it hard to withstand Electric Techniques.
Boom!
A plume of smoke erupted.
Gao Mei urgently shouted, "Gyarados, hold on!"
"Roar..."
Amidst loud wails, Gyarados, with scorched marks all over its body, crashed through the smoke and plunged into the water, splashing a mighty spray.
Swish...
Raindrops fell, chilling Gao Mei to the bone.
Her ace, Gyarados, which could ordinarily withstand Electric Techniques one or two times, still didn't manage to last a few rounds against Dragapult!
Beep!
"Gyarados has lost the ability to battle! Dragapult wins! The advancing contestant is Baimu!"
The referee raised the flag.
The commentator's voice was loud and clear, "It's decided! The contestant successfully advancing to the final tournament is Baimu! Dragapult's invincible power allowed it to triumph effortlessly over Contestant Gao Mei's entire roster of Pokémon!"