The pale-blue Dive Ball flew high into the air.
Pop!
A crisp sound rang out.
Clear water poured from its opening, cascading straight down like a waterfall to form a pale-blue curtain.
Through the haze,
An ethereal serpentine shadow danced behind it.
The dreamlike sight held the audience spellbound. Afraid of missing a single detail, they gradually fell silent.
Then the blue curtain fell away. Shiny Milotic swished her long, fanlike tail and revealed her radiant golden form to everyone, like a peerless beauty emerging from a bath.
"Milo~"
Her languid expression, brilliant scales, limpid eyes, and hairlike fins as pure and clear as springwater—
All those elements came together in the Pokémon so many called a goddess of beauty.
Gasps of wonder rose across the venue.
Shiny Milotic had won over countless spectators simply by appearing. Even the judges watched her at center stage with shining eyes, as though gazing at a rare treasure.
Jasmine, the special guest, looked utterly dazzled. She rested her chin on her folded hands, wholly captivated.
At that moment—
"Rain Dance."
"Mii—looo—"
Shiny Milotic raised her upper body high, closed her eyes, and lifted her head in a melodious call.
It was as lilting as whale song and as clear as birdsong.
The sound drew everyone in.
Whoosh...
A damp wind rolled in as though summoned by her song. Wisps of white mist gathered from nowhere and drifted around center stage.
Pitter-patter...
A cool drizzle began to fall.
Raindrops streamed over Shiny Milotic's body. As if a statue had sprung to life, she gave a beautiful cry and leaped into the low-lying clouds of mist.
Her silhouette wavered within them, graceful and elusive.
"Milo~"
Swimming freely through the mist, Shiny Milotic brought out every trace of her gentle, veiled beauty.
The next instant—
The