"What an enormous whirlpool!"
Vivian's voice drew the audience's attention.
The massive Whirlpool, controlled by Shiny Milotic's tail fin, occupied nearly a third of the stage and drew gasps from countless spectators.
"Chido..."
Mega Mawile looked up at the Whirlpool blotting out the sky, then at Shiny Milotic, bathed in sunlight filtering through the water. A soft glow seemed to cling to her body.
Her pale blue, hairlike fins stirred without wind. Her intense focus gave her a captivating air.
But more than any of that,
Mega Mawile cared about the look Shiny Milotic sent her.
Those beautiful eyes seemed to cry out with frustration at losing so many points, guilt at failing to meet her Trainer's and partner's expectations, and determination to defeat their opponents in one decisive push—
The message struck Mega Mawile to her core.
Her gaze trembled, and ripples spread across her already troubled heart.
That's right.
Dwelling on points lost a moment ago is childish.
We still have the advantage. We should beat them with greater style and grace, not let a few points send our emotions into a frenzy.
We need to show some poise.
But...
We lost those points.
It wasn't a coincidence.
And it wasn't some bolt from the blue.
We lost them because we weren't good enough, and Togekiss and Piplup had the skill to seize the opening!
The failed Water-Fire Fusion Technique was never Shiny Milotic's problem alone!
So much for ladylike restraint!
That was just an excuse for not being able to combine beauty and strength, for having to sacrifice power to make the display look good.
Wallace's Pokémon never need to make themselves "weaker" for a Pokémon Contest!
Creak...
Mega Mawile clenched her fists. A voice suddenly surfaced in her mind.
"Then what are you waiting for?"
She