The afterglow of the second-round show performances had yet to fade, and the four judges were quietly discussing the upcoming battle stage.
Contest adjusted his glasses, sweeping his gaze across the list of qualifiers, his tone tinged with regret:
"I wonder whether Lionel and Grace will draw each other. This would be perfect if it were Lilycove City's Grand Festival—
we could run single-elimination and let the top Coordinators duel until only the Champion remains. Now that would be thrilling."
He paused, tapping the names "Lionel," "Grace," and "Armani."
"With five Ribbon Medals on offer this time, it'll be a shame if those three never meet in battle."
"I'd love to see just how beautifully they can blend Contest artistry with raw combat."
At that, Sukizo's plump face lit up in agreement. "Exactly! Still, between Lionel and Grace, I lean toward Lionel.
Grace's combo was impressive, sure, but we saw much the same at last year's Festival—great, yet nothing new.
Lionel, though—from that surprise entrance to that jaw-dropping aurora in round two, every appearance is a fresh shock.
No rookie in years has shown that kind of genius creativity."
Nurse Joy nodded, excitement sparkling in her eyes. "Mr. Sukizo's right. With a breakout like Lionel, this year's Grand Festival will be unmissable.
I can't wait to see what combo he'll unveil next. That aurora still leaves me breathless!"
Wallace listened quietly, a gentle, unruffled smile on his lips as he glanced toward the contestant prep area, hidden expectation in his gaze.
He cared little for so-called powerhouse showdowns; Lilycove had served up plenty of those.
To him, the heart of any Festival was the spark of ingenuity and rapport between Pokémon and Trainer—
and Lionel's unfettered creativity, his knack for leaping beyond convention, was exactly what he admired.
Soon the Contest battle draw began.
Twenty qualifiers stepped forward one by one to pull opponent numbers from the box.
Lionel drew fifteen; his opponent was the girl who had woven a mini flowerbed with her Oddish.
"Contestant fifteen, please take the stage!"
Host Kotaro's voice rang out. Lionel walked onto the battlefield and released Feebas; the little fish flicked its tail, eyes eager.
Across from him the girl tightened her grip on her Poké Ball, knuckles white, voice trembling slightly: "Oddish, let's do our best."
A red flash, and a verdant Oddish landed center-stage, leaves swaying in answer to its Trainer.
"Battle—begin!" The Referee had hardly spoken before the girl hesitantly called,
"Oddish, Leech Seed!"
Oddish's leaves spat several glowing green seeds that drifted lazily toward Feebas.
Lionel's gaze stayed calm. "Feebas, Whirlpool."
With a sweep of its tail Feebas summoned a spinning jet of water. The seeds touched the vortex and vanished without a trace.
"Now—Icy Wind!" Lionel followed up instantly.
A freezing gale swept the field, white mist and ice shards tearing across.
Caught too close, Oddish was half-coated in frost, leaves stiff and motionless.
"Oddish is unable to battle. Victory goes to Contestant 86, Lionel!" The Referee raised his flag.
Disappointment flickered across the girl's face, yet she stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Your Feebas is amazing."
Lionel nodded politely, recalled Feebas, and left the stage.
The win had been easy; most Coordinators focus on beauty and synergy, leaving them at a disadvantage in straight combat.
In the next match Armani's Flareon shone.
A searing Fire Spin trapped the foe, then the swirling flames snapped into a crimson bolt.
Quick Attack riding the fiery momentum ended the fight in a single strike, earning thunderous applause.
Grace's Medicham was all composure: an ice-blue Ice Punch followed by a Vacuum Wave bursting through air—
the sequence exposed a flaw and sealed victory.
When the battles ended, scores from the first two rounds were tallied and ten contestants remained, vying for five Ribbon Medals.
As the pairings were posted, Contest sighed at the bracket.
"A shame—we won't see Lionel, Armani and Grace clash this round."
Lionel's next opponent was the Twin-Tailed Girl who had breezed through round one with her cute Skitty act.
She hugged Skitty tighter, cheeks puffed, eyes defiant. "I know you and Feebas are strong, but I won't give up!"
"Battle—begin!"
"Skitty, Double Team!" She snapped her order.
Skitty blurred into six identical copies. Pink tails bobbed as the six forms zig-zagged across the stage, weaving real and false paths impossible to read.
"Shinny!" she called next.
All six Skitty flared blinding white, light exploding like noon sun; the audience squinted reflexively.
"Now—Double Slap!" Seizing the moment, she shouted.
The six forms shot forward like pink lightning, tiny paws carving blurred arcs as they closed in on Feebas.
"Feebas, Icy Wind." Lionel stayed unruffled.
The fish puffed its round body; a gust of frost burst forth.
The stage floor glazed over with slippery ice. Skitty's paws hit, skidded, and the nimble form faltered—
yet its illusory doubles glided on unaffected. The contrast instantly betrayed the real one.
"Got it—Feebas, Water Pulse layered with Confuse Ray!" Lionel pointed, voice ringing out.
۞۞۞۞
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