At Slateport Square, the large outdoor screen hanging on the huge building was far more eye-catching than any place playing advertisements.
At this moment, one of the four large screens in Slateport City was broadcasting the Grand Festival’s final match live.
This would have been unthinkable a few years ago. Although Pokémon Contests had already developed to some extent, they still didn’t receive enough attention and rarely made mainstream headlines. But now, the Grand Festival is broadcasted in city squares, features on live TV, and consistently ranks among the top in viewership. This is largely thanks to Wallace’s rise, who has helped to popularize Pokémon Contests as a Coordinator, leading to the current glory of Pokémon Contests.
Passersby may stop to watch for a while, or they might just take a glance and leave immediately. Among them are those who are interested in the event, as well as those who are indifferent. However, if someone claims they don’t know what is being broadcast, they might be considered uninformed.
“Quick, look! The final match is finally starting—”
Grand Festival’s venue, in the central main arena, Sinnoh’s Enchantress Hani, dressed in a gown, stepped onto the stage. She smiled as she looked at her opponent, Terrance, who also walked over calmly.
Terrance, facing this Top Coordinator, was feeling some pressure. Hani was one of those rare Coordinators with real talent, a much tougher challenge than those showy Top Coordinators.
“Are you both ready?” Vivian looked at the two and signaled for confirmation.
“Yes,” Hani said.
Terrance nodded as well.
On the panel of judges, Raoul Contesta said to Wallace, “It seems like Hani is trying to copy you, aiming to dominate Pokémon Contests in every region.”
“Well… if she keeps winning, it would certainly make all Coordinators and those interested in Pokémon Contests take notice. But if she were to lose once… even if she could make up for it later, it would always feel a bit lacking.”
“The path of the Pokémon Contest has only just begun its revival… With only one success story—yours—it’s certainly not an easy road.”
The judges turned their attention back to the two finalists, each guessing who might claim victory.
Whether watching on TV, on the big screen, or an audience member who temporarily stepped away for personal matters, they all returned at this moment. The battle that would decide the ultimate honor was about to begin—how could they possibly miss out on this?
It’s hard to predict who will be the winner. With Terrance and Hani’s distinctive styles and evenly matched strengths, many found it difficult to rationally logically assess the odds. As Vivian concluded with one sentence, “Let’s wait and see,” the showdown was finally about to begin.
With eyes eagerly watching…under the dazzling lights and amidst the roaring crowd, the battle was about to commence.
Under the dazzling lights and the roar of the crowd, the battle was about to start.
The five-minute countdown ticked away, and both Terrance and Hani felt immense pressure. At this moment, countless eyes were focused on them. No previous match had felt as intense as this one.
“So this is what the finals feel like.”
Terrance thought seriously as he threw Beautifly’s Poké Ball, while Hani’s Tangrowth swung its thorny vines, commencing the battle!
“Tangrowth, Grassy Terrain!”
“Beautifly, Extreme Quiver Dance!”
Right at the start, the audience let out a wave of astonished gasps. It made sense for Tangrowth to use Grassy Terrain immediately… but Beautifly and Terrance, were they really going to reveal their trump card so early?
That powerful Silver Wind, combined with Quiver Dance, was an ultimate technique.
The sound of wind whistled as Hani used less than a second to react and made her decision, “Tangrowth, Power Whip!”
“Contestant Hani has chosen to abandon setting up Grassy Terrain and instead went on the offensive to interrupt Beautifly’s Quiver Dance. It seems she’s especially wary of Quiver Dance!” commented Vivian.
Hani indeed had that in mind. After two Quiver Dance, even Beautifly’s regular Silver Wind would have its power increased to a terrifying level. Even though Tangrowth could manipulate many vines in Grassy Terrain, Hani didn’t dare take a chance against Beautifly, which excelled at controlling air currents.
Countless vines whipped toward Beautifly, cutting through the air with a powerful force that everyone could feel.
“The power is certainly strong, and if it’s vines, Tangrowth can control them like arms. Even with Beautifly’s speed, Tangrowth could stop it with numerous vines…”
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Several vines intertwined and rapidly descended toward Beautifly. Terrance stayed silent, watching as the vines targeted Silver Wind. But then, the powdery scales within Silver Wind quickly dispersed along the air currents and formed into a crescent-shape, becoming a blade of Silver Wind that sliced through the vines!
Snap!
In an instant, the vines were cut into several pieces. Silver Wind was incredibly sharp, cutting so quickly that Tangrowth had no time to react or retract its vines.
“Beautifly can even control the direction of the powdery scales within Silver Wind!!”
Seeing the vines shatter instantly upon contact with Silver Wind without affecting Beautifly at all, a few spectators sighed. The intricate, intersecting vines were effortlessly sliced to pieces by the crescent-shaped powdery scales. It seemed Beautifly’s mastery of Silver Wind was simply too brilliant. Without overwhelming force, sheer skill alone was no longer enough to overcome it.
However, Hani’s expression didn’t change. Tangrowth continued swinging its vines. As soon as the vines were cut into pieces, a new wave of vines followed. In the same moment, the shattered vines burst into countless purple spores, filling the sky.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Tangrowth’s vines created a powerful gust of air, pushing the Poison Powder forward in a swirling motion, quickly contaminating the entire Silver Wind.
“Impressive,” Terrance said in surprise.
The Poison Powder had been hidden among the vines and now spread at close range, disturbing the Silver Wind. To dispel the foreign powder caught in the wind, Terrance would have to alter the rhythm of Quiver Dance’ air currents.
“So that was the point of using the vines for interference, to make the Poison Powder explode near Beautifly’s position!”
While directing Beautifly to clear the Poison Powder from Silver Wind to avoid interference, Terrance kept a close eye on Tangrowth’s movements. Once Tangrowth accomplished its goal, it began setting up Grassy Terrain again. The moment Beautifly finished clearing the Poison Powder, Grassy Terrain was complete.
At the same time, Tangrowth rooted itself firmly in the Grassy Terrain, its entire body becoming fixed in place. Despite being a stationary target now, Tangrowth didn’t seem afraid, and it gazed at the airborne Beautifly with a challenging look.
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