Absolute Victory!

"Not bad."

Baimu had to admit that Dawn and Piplup had their own remarkable strengths.

Even without a writer deliberately giving them a boost, they could still have flashes of inspiration and pull off the kind of incredible feats Ash did, nearly turning defeat into victory.

And Piplup had somehow learned Liquidation, a move from the seventh generation. It had probably picked it up from an Alolan trainer on a journey.

Unfortunately.

Turning defeat into victory took more than inspiration.

"Misty Terrain."

At his command, the giant jaws behind Mawile's head spewed thick clouds of pale blue mist. They swiftly covered the entire field, hiding Mawile from sight.

"Pip!?"

Piplup had just landed when it turned its head and realized Mawile had vanished from view.

Dawn had lost sight of Mawile too. Watching the dense mist drift toward the sky, her heart tightened. She gritted her teeth and shouted, "Use Drill Peck to scatter the mist!"

"Pip!"

Piplup leaped up and began spinning. Golden light wrapped around its short beak, extending it as Piplup hurtled forward like a whirlwind!

The wisps of mist scattered in its wake, leaving a clear path behind it.

But Mawile seemed to have disappeared without a trace. Piplup had no choice but to change direction and charge through the mist again.

Still no sign of her.

Piplup landed, panting and visibly tired.

After two attacks failed to find Mawile, the mysterious Misty Terrain cost Dawn points.

But more troubling than the lost points was her opponent's whereabouts.

Could a Pokémon really vanish into thin air?

No.

"Listen! Listen for the bells!"

Her shout alerted Piplup.

They both focused on their hearing and soon caught the clear chime of bells.

The sound came from—

Above!

Dawn and Piplup looked up in surprise. Host Vivian followed their