It wasn't just about leaping through electric rings.
With the lead Tauros, they performed a synchronized Stomp, and pairs locked horns in a rhythmic, drumming collision.
The performance ended with Pikachu unleashing a massive Thunderbolt, bathing the Tauros in lightning, showing off their powerful, iron-like bodies.
Their eyes were full of determination, their bodies refined through countless battles, their breaths as one, like a mighty river that made hearts race.
At that moment, audience, judges, and contestants alike felt the pure fusion of strength and beauty.
The performance—
Ended!
Thunderous applause filled the hall. Even host Vivian looked to the judges, waiting for their comments.
"They're well cared for, their coats shiny, their eyes full of love—I like it!"
Judge Mr. Sukizo gave his score with a smile.
8.5 points!
The only deductions were for Ash's small rookie mistakes.
"Subarashii! Right now, this is the only word echoing in my heart. The Tauros bathed in thunder were perfect!"
Judge Contesta entered his numbers.
8.3 points!
"Pikachu was lively and energetic, and the Tauros—who should be wild—were so well coordinated. That was a wonderful surprise."
Nurse Joy gave her score.
8.8 points!
The atmosphere was heating up.
At this rate, Miriam's lead was in danger.
Clavell and Geeta also gave high marks.
8.5 and 8.5!
The total had already surpassed Miriam's 35, now at 42.6.
Even if Wallace gave a zero, Ash was now the top scorer.
But Wallace stood up for the first time, arms wide, face blissful,
"Amazing—not only did this show the Tauros' strength, but more importantly, their perfect coordination and unique traits."
"Whether it was Pikachu darting among the Tauros, or the unprecedented thirty-Tauros group performance—"
"Ash, that was a dazzling performance. It's hard to believe it was your first. I think your Contest talent rivals my own!"
After such high praise, Wallace gave his score:
Full marks! 10 points!
Ash's total: 52.6—a landslide first place.
"Thank you, everyone!"
Buried among the Tauros, Ash let out a long sigh, politely thanking everyone, then looked straight at the camera.
Brother Lucas, your turn!
…
In the audience—
Paul only felt that Penny and Shizuka's cheers were noisy.
A vein bulged on his forehead. He couldn't figure it out—how did Ash's similar style get such different feedback?
One was told to change careers, the other said to have world-class talent.
Paul, always wanting to beat Ash, never expected to lose to him here.
After Ash finished, the next three Group 7 contestants performed.
Scores varied.
The highest was just two points below Miriam's. The lowest barely scraped double digits.
In the lounge, Lucas was quietly meditating when a staff member reminded him it was time.
Opening his clear eyes, Lucas smiled.
52.6 points, huh? Ash really does have Contest talent.
It's a pity—he prefers battles. Contests are just a hobby for him.
But does Lucas have Contest talent?
He wasn't sure. He only knew that as long as he could deliver applause and cheers for Feebas and Ninetales, the exact score didn't matter.
He wasn't here to win.
Thinking this, Lucas stood up and headed for the stage.
Vivian's enthusiastic voice echoed across the venue.
"The thrilling school Contest continues! Next up, the final performer of Group 7—Naranja Academy's Battle Instructor, Mr. Lucas!"
Thunk!
Spotlights fell on Lucas, still dressed as before, walking calmly onto the stage.
But the cute little figure the audience had wanted to see was gone.
This meant Lucas wouldn't be using Mimikyu, but other Pokémon.
Some were disappointed, but most felt only anticipation.
After all, it was Lucas—who had just defeated the world's top Coordinator.
So when he tossed out his first Poké Ball, many people were stunned.
In the center of the stage, the floor slid away to reveal a sizable pool. Lucas's first Poké Ball released a silver-purple figure that dove into the pool and surfaced.
…
The cheers faded, replaced by dead silence.
A dull gaze, strange colors, a battered body and ragged fins—even without malice, everyone subconsciously thought the same word:
Shabby.
Unlike Wallace's beautiful Milotic, this was a Feebas—plain and scruffy.
At first glance, people wondered why it was on the Contest stage.
Compared to Feebas, flopping in the water with lifeless eyes—
Lucas's second Pokémon was much more eye-catching.
Ninetales had perfect balance, its icy blue fur dancing elegantly as it landed, never once looking messy.
Just as some worried its fur would get wet, Ninetales' feet touched the water and—
Crack!
The surface froze, forming an icy platform for Ninetales to stand on.
At that moment, snow began to fall from gathering clouds above.
The fluttering snow captured everyone's attention, and then they saw Ninetales walking toward the center, where Feebas was.
With every step, the water surface iced over in snowflake patterns, highlighting Ninetales' grace.
Meanwhile, Feebas was completely overshadowed.
Vivian wanted to introduce Feebas, but Wallace interrupted.
He had stood up, looking at Lucas seriously,
"Are you confident?"
"All I can do is give it my all. That's what we both want."
Lucas answered simply.
…
Wallace sighed and sat back down, leaving many confused.
But Wallace's mind was racing.
He had hoped to see Lucas's Alolan Ninetales, but the shiny Feebas told him Lucas's real intent.
Wallace knew Milotic well, having learned from Teacher Juan, and knew it evolved from Feebas. He even contributed to research on its evolution.
That's why he'd asked if Lucas was confident.
Building a Feebas' confidence—even for Wallace—required repeated special training and perfect timing.
And yet, Lucas had sent out Ninetales, who would make Feebas stand out even less. Wallace couldn't guess his plan.
The performance continued.
Ninetales and Feebas met at the center of the pool.
When Water-types perform, the pool is exposed, making things easier for Lucas.
Taking a deep breath, Lucas gave his command:
"Mist—"
Ninetales and Feebas together released a white mist, lowering the temperature even further.
Many in the audience hugged themselves or blew warm air into their hands, trying to resist the chill.
Within the mist, Ninetales let out a melodious cry, and dazzling ice light bloomed.
Ice pillars rose from the ground, forming a spiraling staircase, each step patterned like a snowflake—a detail caught by the cameras.
Ninetales ascended gracefully to the air, its icy blue eyes gazing down through the mist like a snow fairy looking upon mortals.
The mist gradually cleared, and many gasped at the sight below.
"That's—!"
On the frozen pool rested Feebas, sealed in a ball of ice, embedded in the ice.
Ninetales' Ice Beam had not only created the beautiful staircase, but also frozen its own partner.
Many frowned—was this a mistake?
In the dressing room, Tulip, leaning against the wall, raised an eyebrow,
"No wonder Feebas got no special styling. So that's the plan…"
On stage, the temperature matched the chilly atmosphere. Just as many suspected a mishap, a clear crack sounded.
The cameras zoomed in to show spiderweb cracks forming on the ice sphere encasing Feebas.
Then—
It shattered!
Freed, but with nowhere to go, Feebas flopped awkwardly on the ice, looking pitiful.
On the staircase, Ninetales' expression changed—from indifference, to surprise, then interest.
It found Feebas' escape intriguing.
A strange energy rose above, forming a magnificent aurora, adding to Ninetales' divine aura.
It shook its fur, sending ice crystals into the air, which, whipped by wind and light, turned into a blizzard aimed at Feebas.
Feebas glowed with iridescent light—a move effect.
On the judges' panel, Wallace recognized it instantly:
"Mirror Coat—is it—"
He widened his eyes, understanding Lucas's plan.
With Mirror Coat, Feebas used Bounce to hop toward the ice stairs.
Ninetales' face hardened, ramping up the power.
The scene became a painting:
From above, the "god" cast down a blizzard, but Feebas, step by step, reached the base of the stairs, leaped up, and landed!
Then, amid the storm, Feebas began to climb.
Until it reached Ninetales—the divine presence.
At that moment, the energy stored by Mirror Coat transformed. With Calyrex's training, Lucas had taught Feebas to convert stored energy.
Boom!
Cracks appeared on the frozen pool, water surged up, and—under Feebas' control—crashed toward Ninetales.
Surf!
At the same time, Ninetales shone with unprecedented icy blue light, against the aurora. It opened its mouth, unleashing a chilling cold that collided with the tidal wave—ice spread, frost swept, and mist filled the air.
A signature Ice move: Sheer Cold.
When the mist cleared, a lifelike, Feebas-shaped ice sculpture stood tall.
With this as the backdrop, Ninetales and Feebas landed before the sculpture, using their moves to shatter it into sparkling ice, signaling the end.
Lucas spoke:
"This is Ninetales, the snow spirit of Mount Lanakila in Alola, once worshiped as a god.
This is Feebas. Though its appearance may seem shabby, it possesses amazing vitality, adapts to any environment, and always strives to improve—a Pokémon that will, without a doubt, become better in the future."
…
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