"Mist!"
Lisia raised her right hand high, and Altaria let out a high-pitched, jubilant cry.
"Tee-lee!"
Its cloud-like wings shimmered as it spun, releasing a layer of brilliant white mist that fanned out in all directions. Kashiwagi and Mawile instinctively raised their hands to shield their eyes, only to feel an incredibly gentle breeze brush past their faces.
The scent of fresh dew swirled around them, momentarily enveloping their bodies.
"Draco Meteor!"
Lisia commanded again. Altaria tilted its head back and spat out a cluster of violet-red flames.
Kashiwagi and Mawile braced themselves to dodge, but they soon realized the Draco Meteor lacked its usual terrifying destructive force. Instead, it blossomed like a magnificent firework, disintegrating into soft, glowing orbs of pinkish-purple light that drifted downward.
Against the backdrop of the swirling white mist, these violet orbs emitted a mesmerizing, dreamlike halo, falling and vanishing like raindrops.
It was exactly like a fleeting meteor shower. Truly, "starlight sparkling, a vision of splendor."
Mawile watched, entranted, and Kashiwagi couldn't help but clap. "Spectacular! Simply spectacular!"
In the anime, due to special effects limitations, Contest performances sometimes lacked this level of vibrancy, but seeing it in reality brought a genuine sense of spiritual wonder. It was like looking up at a summer night sky and seeing fireworks form intricate patterns.
Unlike the tense, blood-pumping atmosphere of a Pokémon battle, a Contest focused on creating near-miraculous scenery, delivering a visual impact of beauty and elegance.
"Thank you."
Lisia bowed to Kashiwagi, then smiled. "And that is the essence of the move performance in the first appeal round.
"It's about the seamless connection and coordination between moves, whether the tempo is fast or slow. It differs from a battle, where you pursue maximum damage; here, you aim for stability and fusion. You can even see water and fire, or ice and fire, coexisting."
"I see."
Kashiwagi nodded. He had known this theoretically, but hearing Lisia's explanation felt like a profound review.
"Of course, it's not strictly necessary to use multiple moves together. If you use your imagination, a single move can be beautiful on its own. Beyond that, there's the coordination between Pokémon and Trainer."
Lisia picked up her baseball cap from the side and suddenly tossed it toward Altaria. "Tailwind!"
"Tee-lee!"
Altaria flapped its cloud-like wings, creating a visible current of milky-white wind that swept the cap high into the sky. It took flight, circling the cap and gently batting it with its wings. It looked like a dance, spinning as it maneuvered the cap, ensuring it didn't touch the ground while showcasing its own graceful form.
Lisia danced along with Altaria, their movements uncannily synchronized. Finally, under Altaria's guidance, the cap landed perfectly on Lisia's outstretched hand.
"Tee-lee~"
Both of them held their finishing pose in perfect unison.
Clap clap clap clap clap!
Kashiwagi and Mawile practically clapped their hands raw. "Amazing! Incredible!"
The dance seemed simple, but it undoubtedly required a high level of skill. The way they moved as one gave off the feeling that their very souls were in resonance.
"This is the synergy between Pokémon and Trainer—a major technique for scoring high points." Lisia panted slightly, though her face glowed with an irrepressible smile.
Clearly, she loved this. This brought her more joy than acting in a morning drama or appearing on a variety show.
"Deciding on your performance project is vital. If you can't pass the first round, there's no hope for the second," Lisia cautioned.
"Mhm, mhm!" Kashiwagi and Mawile nodded fervently.
"The second round is the Contest Battle. Even though it's a battle, the 'Contest' part is still paramount. It's not just about the Pokémon's moves; the Trainer must remain elegant as well, or you'll suffer heavy point deductions!"
She warned, "Many Trainers treat it like a regular brawl, only to find their points have hit zero before they can even knock out their opponent."
In other words, go for the one-hit KO, Kashiwagi thought. In the anime, the strangest part of Contests was that knocking out the opponent's Pokémon resulted in an instant win. It often felt like the "battle" flavor was a bit too strong.
However, considering the fluctuating power levels in the anime—where even a Pikachu could lose to a Snivy—it was understandable. In a Contest Battle, who could say they'd win purely on level and moves?
This was eventually balanced out in the Kalos Queen's Pokémon Showcase... though that was a girls-only event.
Unaware of Kashiwagi's internal monologue, Lisia continued, "Right now, the most important thing for you is to find a theme."
"A theme..."
"Exactly. Use your imagination. Don't use moves in a rigid way; add variation and aesthetic appeal."
Lisia pulled her phone from her pocket. "I'll recommend a few bloggers to you. They record the first-round performances from various Contests; you might find inspiration there... Ah! But don't just copy them!"
She raised her hand quickly, looking a bit flustered. "Copying someone else's creativity is wrong, and the judges will see right through it."
"I know, don't worry." Kashiwagi reassured her. They added each other as contacts on PokéLine, and he followed several Contest influencers.
Worried that their recent commotion might have attracted lurking reporters, the two quickly left and found a quiet corridor to sit down.
"Thank you. I've really learned a lot today," he said gratefully.
"No problem! I'm just happy to see someone new joining the Coordinator community." Lisia waved it off. "The more people participate, the more exciting it gets!"
Most people wanted fewer rivals to avoid being surpassed. She, on the other hand, wanted more competition to make the scene more vibrant. Her perspective was truly on another level.
No wonder she eventually tries to recruit Chloe and Serena into the idol life, Kashiwagi recalled.
"I might not be able to compete alongside you this time, but there will definitely be a chance in the future." Lisia's large, bright eyes were filled with a longing for the Contest stage.
She was the definition of "career-driven," sharing a similar single-mindedness with Ash, whose head was entirely filled with Pokémon battles. Perhaps it was this obsession that allowed them to forge ahead on their chosen paths, regardless of the obstacles.
"I wish you a bright future," Kashiwagi said, extending his hand.
Lisia blinked, then flashed a brilliant smile. "And I wish you a sensational debut!"
They shared a brief, firm handshake. Despite the differences in age, gender, and height, a friendship had been forged.