Feebas, the Ultimate Elegance of Water and Ice

The next contestants took the stage one after another, each with their own distinct style and clever ideas:

Some had Oddish weave a miniature flower field with Leech Seed and Sweet Scent, its fragrance spreading through the air and making it feel as though they had stepped into a spring garden.

Others directed Geodude to use Defense Curl and Rock Tomb to pile up a lifelike little rocky hill. If not for the subtle difference in color, no one would have been able to spot where Geodude was hiding.

Yet while these performances each had their highlights, none managed to surpass the adorable peak created earlier by Contestant No. 1's Skitty. The atmosphere in the venue remained relatively calm beneath the rising anticipation.

It was not until No. 32, Armani, took the stage that the subdued mood was instantly ignited.

Flareon still wore that confident, flamboyant air as it stood firmly at the center of the stage. Orange-red flames danced over its fluffy tail, every sway carrying a scorching presence.

"Flareon, Fiery Swift!"

Unlike an ordinary Swift, flames first ignited in Flareon's mouth before it unleashed the move.

What it spat out were not ordinary golden stars, but golden-red stars cloaked in a faint crimson layer of fire.

The countless stars whirled through the air above the stage like burning meteors, leaving behind dazzling trails.

"So beautiful! Is this a fusion of Swift and fire? That's incredible!"

Kotaro exclaimed into his microphone, disbelief filling his voice.

"Quick Attack!"

Flareon's figure suddenly transformed into a streak of red light, actually running upward along the star trails that had yet to fade from the air!

With every step it took, the star beneath its paws burst into a tiny flame, supporting it as it continued to rise until it quickly reached high above the stage.

Then, fierce flames suddenly erupted around its body. The fire surged outward, transforming the entire Pokémon into a blazing fireball as it dove toward the center of the stage like a falling meteor!

"Wah—!"

The audience instinctively held their breath, and quite a few people even raised their hands to cover their mouths.

Just as the fireball was about to strike the ground, Flareon abruptly adjusted its posture. The raging flames suddenly drew in, leaving only a thin layer of sparks gently wrapped around its body.

Flareon landed as lightly as a feather, coming to a steady stop at the center of the stage before letting out a bright, proud cry toward the audience.

At the judges' table, obvious admiration flashed through Wallace's eyes as he nodded and commented:

"Turning the trajectory of Swift into 'steps,' using the speed of Quick Attack to complete an aerial dive, then creating contrast through the release and restraint of the flames—this is even more creative than the first round, and its control over fire has become more refined as well."

Armani had gone all out in the second-round evaluation and earned a perfect score.

As he walked off the stage, his gaze swept toward Lin Mo, carrying a hint of provocation.

Before long, it was Grace's turn.

Medicham still stood tall and upright, its gaze as sharp as ever. This time, however, different lights swirled around its two fists.

Its left fist burned with blazing fire, while its right was coated in biting frost.

"Medicham, Confusion! A dual combination of Fire Punch and Ice Punch!"

Following Grace's cool command, Medicham swung its left fist, gathering a ball of flame around its knuckles that transformed into a burning lotus.

Its right fist followed, and amid spreading frost, an ice-crystal lotus quietly bloomed.

It continued throwing punches, and dozens of fire-and-ice lotuses instantly appeared across the stage. Half blazed with the heat of raging flames, while the other half gleamed like translucent ice, slowly revolving around it.

"Is that... Ice Punch added on top of its first-round performance?"

"One ice, one fire—how can they be so harmonious?"

Medicham suddenly pressed its palms together, and all the fire-and-ice lotuses seemed drawn toward it, gathering at its side.

The flaming lotuses converged into a massive red lotus, while the ice-crystal lotuses formed an equally enormous blue lotus.

The two lotuses slowly rotated before Medicham. As the flames along their edges met the frigid air, they actually gave off soft sizzling sounds, sending up a hazy white mist.

"Bloom, Fire-Ice Crimson Lotus!"

At Grace's command, Medicham fiercely swung its hands, blue light blazing from its eyes!

The two gigantic lotuses collided in an instant. There was no explosion as expected—only flame and ice intertwining and merging in the collision, transforming into a brilliant shower of light.

Red sparks and blue ice crystals danced through the air like countless glittering gemstones. In the end, they gathered at the center of the stage into a two-colored lotus, half red and half blue, floating in midair with breathtaking beauty.

"That's amazing! Is this the true strength of last year's Grand Festival semifinalist?"

"The perfect fusion of ice and fire—there's no conflict at all!"

At the judges' table, Contesta adjusted his glasses, rare excitement entering his tone:

"Her control over Fire- and Ice-type energy has already reached an extraordinary level!

The output of flame and frost was maintained in a delicate balance. Not a single trace of energy leaked during the collision. That requires a deep understanding of the essence of both attributes. Impressive, truly impressive!"

Grace's score, unsurprisingly, was also perfect.

When she walked off the stage, she still wore the same composed expression, but the glint in her eyes revealed her desire for victory.

The performances onstage continued, with the contestants each displaying their own abilities, yet none could shake the impact Armani and Grace had created.

After the two of them delivered such spectacular performances, the audience's expectations had been raised to their peak. Everyone's gaze was fixed on the contestants' waiting area, awaiting the appearance of No. 86, Lin Mo.

Lin Mo sat in the waiting area, gently rubbing Feebas's Poké Ball with his fingertips.

The little fellow seemed to sense his anticipation. It lightly bumped against the inside of the ball, making a soft sound.

"Are you ready, Feebas?" Lin Mo asked softly.

A cheerful vibration came from the Poké Ball, as though it were nodding vigorously.

The livestream chat had already begun a frenzied countdown:

"Only three contestants until the streamer's turn! I'm so excited I'm rubbing my hands together!"

"I wonder what move combination Feebas will use this time? Can it surpass the fire-and-ice lotus?"

"It has to beat Grace and Armani! Can't wait for an amazing performance!"

At last, Kotaro's voice rang out. "Next, please welcome Contestant No. 86, Lin Mo, and his partner, Feebas!"

The spotlight instantly fell precisely on Lin Mo. Cheers surged across the venue like raging waves, deafening in their intensity.

Lin Mo slowly rose to his feet and calmly walked to the edge of the stage. Raising the Poké Ball in his hand, a confident smile curved across his lips.

"It's our turn."

A flash of red light appeared, and Feebas emerged at the center of the stage, its purple body especially eye-catching beneath the spotlight.

With a gentle flick of its tail, a shallow layer of water immediately seeped across the ground, smooth as a mirror. It steadily supported Feebas atop its surface, as though it were seated within a tiny water mirror, poised with elegant grace.

Lin Mo drew a deep breath. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes as his voice suddenly rose, brimming with anticipation and confidence:

"Then let's begin! Feebas, show every audience member the ultimate elegance of water and ice!"