Imagination is always simpler than execution.
Kashiwagi and Mawile's first attempt focused on expanding the range of Fairy Wind, which went smoothly enough.
However, things became difficult when they tried to scale back the destructive power while increasing stability. To ensure the range was large enough, Mawile pushed her energy output to its current limit, but the stability refused to drop to the standard Kashiwagi had set.
He recalled Lisia's Altaria: its Draco Meteor mixed with the white mist looked like harmless fireworks. Touching it only resulted in a tolerable heat; it didn't explode into a cloud of choking white smoke.
In comparison, Mawile's Fairy Wind was so strong it could knock a person sideways or blow them away entirely.
The problem was visual and tactile. Fairy Wind creates deep pink, flocculent energy particles while whipping up a gale; these particles are the primary source of damage. Kashiwagi wanted these particles to disperse into fine pink sparkles to increase move stability, making it easier to transition into the next technique. This wasn't just a whim; he had seen high-level examples of this.
To achieve this, Mawile watched the demonstration videos over and over, practicing relentlessly. After all, this was only the opening move.
The sequence required Fairy Wind to transition into Magnet Rise for flight, followed by a spinning Fire Fang. Linking these three moves seamlessly without interruption was the second major hurdle.
In battle, the goal is to pour every ounce of strength into a single strike—ensuring energy output is maximized. But a Pokémon Contest is different. Coordinators often limit energy output for visual effect, sacrificing raw power to ensure a smooth transition and an aesthetically pleasing display.
There are Coordinators who use full-power output, but that is considered an advanced technique. If move power interferes with continuity, even a slight mistake can cause an energy conflict and an explosion. An explosion isn't necessarily a disaster; the real issue is the resulting smoke. Most Coordinators try to avoid it—not because it's against the rules, but because smoke can obscure the performance. Used well, it creates mystery; used poorly, it causes the judges to miss your climax.
"Being a Coordinator is no easy feat," Kashiwagi sighed, gaining a deeper understanding of the word "Coordination."
It wasn't just coordination between Trainer and Pokémon; it was coordination between different types of moves, and even coordination between multiple Pokémon.
"Let's keep at it. The theme is set; now we just have to make it real," he said.
"Maw-wile!" Mawile nodded with resolve.
Even if Fairy Wind hadn't seen a breakthrough yet, the theme could still progress. Kashiwagi pulled out his sketchbook. Using the artistic skills he'd inherited from Smeargle, he broke down the performance step-by-step for Mawile.
Mawile struggled to grasp the abstract verbal concepts, but looking at the drawings, she understood everything instantly.
"Maw-wile?"
"It looks complicated, but the entire sequence will only take a minute or two... Let's try fusing Magnet Rise and Fire Fang first." He sketched a red-and-yellow fire tornado. "The difficulty lies in the coverage of Fire Fang. You'll need a very high rotation speed to let the flames envelop your entire body."
Mawile nodded, stepped back, and used Magnet Rise to lift herself off the ground.
"Begin. Fire Fang first," Kashiwagi said softly.
Fwoosh! The massive second jaw, nearly the size of her body, opened slightly. Bright red flames erupted from between her ivory teeth.
"Good. Start spinning."
"Maw-wile!"
Mawile twisted her body, beginning a clockwise rotation. She truly had a knack for Magnet Rise; she seemed to spin without effort, going faster and faster.
Whoosh—
A localized gale kicked up from her rotation, mixing with fine sparks and flames. The dust from the floor swirled up as she was gradually enveloped in a red-and-yellow glow.
"Faster!" Kashiwagi shouted. Mawile increased her speed!
As the wind became a shrill whistle, the flames expanded with her movement. Not only that, but the electricity from Magnet Rise seemed to join in, forming a dazzling storm of fire and lightning.
Just as Kashiwagi flashed a celebratory grin, the flames suddenly vanished, as if snuffed out by the wind. Mawile slowed to a halt, covering her mouth, looking a bit pale.
"Maw... wile..."
"Are you okay?" Kashiwagi rushed over.
She was just a bit dizzy. "It looks like turning too fast is also a problem." He fed her some refreshing, cool candy to help with the vertigo. "Rest for a bit."
The fire had died for two reasons: first, the speed made Mawile dizzy, breaking her focus on the energy output. Second, the wind was too strong, dropping the temperature below what the flames needed to burn. In theory, wind can aid combustion—the "Fan the Flames" effect—but finding the balance where the wind aids rather than extinguishes was key.
"Maybe we should change the order of the moves," Kashiwagi suggested once she had recovered.
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Second Trial
"Start spinning!"
Mawile floated and began to rotate, slowly increasing her speed. When she reached a steady pace, he shouted, "Fire Fang!"
A spark ignited on the spinning Mawile, quickly turning into a bright orange-red line that formed a fluorescent halo.
"Increase the heat! Increase the heat!"
Mawile surged her energy output. Sparks and flames radiated from the halo like a protective membrane.
Fwoosh! A firestorm ignited! The electricity crackled sharply within it.
"Dizzy?"
"Maw-wile!" (No!)
"Good! Hold that speed! Stabilize it!" Kashiwagi counted in his head.
One, two, three... Ten!
"Stop!"
Mawile snapped out of the rotation. The fire and lightning pulled away like a curtain, or like scattering butterflies and orange petals, slowly dissipating to reveal her bright, adorable face. "Maw-wile!"
"Success! That's two parts down!" Kashiwagi laughed and scooped her up, ignoring the lingering heat from her body.
Mawile was stunned for a second, then gave a joyful smile, nuzzling his neck. After two seconds, however, she remembered herself and shrieked, struggling out of his arms.
"Maw-wile!" A lady is not to be picked up! So undignified!