When comparing Butterfree against Scyther in a battle, if we speak purely of a normal match, more people on Lingyao Star would support Scyther. However, if the conditions are limited to first-year university students and Pokémon Contest, then things become difficult to say.
Chu Xiaodie's Butterfree launched an immediate offense, circling around and flying towards Scyther. Under Jin Xuan's command, Scyther directly attacked with "Dual Chop".
It must be said that Scyther's innate abilities do give it some advantage in Pokémon Contest. Butterfree, after being hit by a stylish slash, had a significant portion of its energy bar depleted instantly.
Chu Xiaodie's Butterfree stopped itself with a roll in mid-air, and this maneuver also halted the depletion of its energy bar.
"Butterfree, use Gust on Scyther!"
Use Gust? What kind of strategy is this? If it were a battle against a wild Pokémon, it would end the battle immediately. In a trainer battle, it would force the use of a reserve Pokémon. But due to the Pokémon Contest, each contestant only has one Pokémon. What's the use of Gust? Besides, Chu Xiaodie didn't use this move in the second round of performances.
Blown into the air by Butterfree's Gust, Scyther spun. Chu Xiaodie pressed her advantage: "Butterfree, pursue and use Sleep Powder!"
Butterfree chased the airborne Scyther and released Sleep Powder. Jin Xuan quickly took countermeasures: "Use Agility to dodge!"
Although the airborne Scyther wanted to use Agility, it had already inhaled the Sleep Powder. It swayed and fell to the ground.
Scyther's energy bar visibly decreased, while Butterfree continuously attacked Scyther with its moves.
Chu Xiaodie had also put considerable effort into her battle tactics. Her constant movement during attacks even resembled a dance. The audience watched this battle, and Butterfree's energy bar surprisingly began to recover, while Scyther's depleted even faster.
Scyther was completely unable to fight back, and its energy bar was quickly depleted. However, the audience knew that Scyther had not truly lost its combat ability; it simply performed somewhat poorly from the perspective of a Pokémon Contest.
Chu Xiaodie and Jin Xuan left the stage, and two other contestants stepped up for their Pokémon Contest.
The battling Pokémon were Sentret and Munchlax. Sentret attacked with all its might, but Munchlax swayed nonchalantly, rendering all of Sentret's attacks useless.
Munchlax was indeed resilient. After using Harden, Sentret was even more helpless. In terms of energy bars, Munchlax held the advantage, as its performance indeed seemed slightly better than Sentret's.
"Munchlax, use Metronome!"
Everyone knew that Metronome was a move with high risk and reward. One never knew what move would be chosen.
Qu Ningning quickly had Sentret retreat. If it took a close-range hit, its energy bar would drop significantly. However, after a while, Munchlax showed no reaction. Qu Ningning was puzzled. What move had Metronome chosen? 138 Reading Net
"Sentret, attack!"
Qu Ningning cautiously had Sentret launch an attack, and Munchlax opened its mouth, releasing a powerful beam that hit Sentret's face, sending it flying.
"Solar Beam? Metronome chose Solar Beam? What luck! No wonder it was immobile for so long; it was charging power. Charging Solar Beam at night is indeed very difficult."
Sentret, hit by Solar Beam, flew backward and fell to the ground, losing its ability to battle.
Sentret's energy bar was instantly emptied.
This was a strategic choice within the Pokémon Contest. One could opt for a direct offensive battle; as long as the opponent's Pokémon was defeated, one would win directly. However, if both Pokémon fainted simultaneously, the one with more remaining energy before fainting would win. Another principle was to do everything possible to deplete the opponent's energy bar. As long as the opponent's energy bar reached zero, even if one's own Pokémon fainted immediately after, it would be considered a victory.
Xia Huna walked onto the stage: "The second match of the third round has also concluded. We'll give the two contestants some time to recover their Pokémon. The final match of the third round is about to begin, and we will soon determine our very first Pokémon Contest Star of Radiance."
backstage, Chu Xiaodie was massaging Butterfree's wings: "Butterfree, you have to do your best. It's the final match. If we win, we'll be the Star of Radiance."
Meanwhile, Guo Shuang'er was also interacting with Munchlax.
Soon, the final match began.
At the start of the battle, Butterfree flew into the sky under Chu Xiaodie's command. Munchlax on the ground was completely helpless against Butterfree.
Guo Shuang'er understood that once Butterfree flew over and used Hypnosis, the scales of victory would tilt completely. Munchlax had few moves that could hit an airborne Butterfree, and the only one that might be useful was Metronome.
"Let's gamble. Munchlax, use Metronome!"
At this moment, Butterfree had already flown above Munchlax: "Butterfree, use Hypnosis!"
Munchlax's Metronome also completed. This time, the move was Gust.
Xia Huna watched the scene on stage: "Is Guo Shuang'er's luck too good? She could use Metronome for Solar Beam last match, and now Metronome for Gust?"
Gust blew from Munchlax's direction towards Butterfree. Butterfree did not dodge this move and sustained a considerable injury. Moreover, Gust blew the Hypnosis powder back.
Butterfree was hit by its own Sleep Powder, wobbled in the air, and landed.
"Munchlax, press forward."
Munchlax waddled forward on its short legs to Butterfree and pounced. Butterfree's luck was probably good too; as soon as Munchlax landed on it, it woke up. What were turns like one to three? To the "European Emperor," it was all just one turn.
Butterfree struggled out from under Munchlax, flapping its wings, trying to fly. Guo Shuang'er commanded Munchlax to press its advantage.
"Munchlax, grab Butterfree's wings. Don't let it fly!"
Xia Huna looked at the energy bars of both sides. Munchlax's energy bar had gained an absolute advantage.
"Butterfree, use Dual Powder Cyclone!"
Dual Powder Cyclone? What new move is this?
Xia Huna's lips curled slightly. This move was taught to Chu Xiaodie by him. It involved Butterfree using both Sleep Powder and Paralysis Powder simultaneously, then using a gusting move like Gust, Silver Wind, or Whirlwind to blow both powders away. This was a support combination move, as it couldn't deal much damage.
Guo Shuang'er was confused, but the astute judges immediately recognized what the Dual Powder Cyclone was.
Tong Ru whispered to Zheng Xiaoxiao: "Xia Huna must have taught her. No one else would research such a move."
Zheng Xiaoxiao nodded, thinking the same. The entire Pokémon Alliance of Minglong Country probably couldn't find anyone more mischievous than him.
After Chu Xiaodie used Dual Powder Cyclone, Munchlax's energy bar saw a considerable reduction. However, Guo Shuang'er's Munchlax was not affected by the Dual Powder Cyclone. It seemed it was wearing a berry that negated contact status.
Butterfree had created distance, and finding an opportunity for close-quarters combat again was becoming difficult. But Guo Shuang'er was favored by destiny, the "European Emperor," and could always create miracles with Metronome. Munchlax's Metronome this time surprisingly chose Gravity.
Affected by Gravity, Butterfree fell to the ground. It tried hard to fly, but it was useless. Finally, Munchlax's "Body Slam" ended the battle.
Xia Huna stepped onto the stage: "The final match of this round has concluded. Let us congratulate Guo Shuang'er and her Munchlax for becoming the Star of Radiance of the first Lingling University Pokémon Contest! Please, Guo Shuang'er, rest backstage for a moment. The awards ceremony will be held shortly."
Seeing the end of this year's Pokémon Contest, some people switched their streams to watch other programs. However, many still followed this stream, wanting to see what prizes would be awarded in this very memorable first Pokémon Contest.
Xia Huna stood at the front of the stage: "Our five judges, please comment on the three battles we just witnessed."
When it came to evaluating battles, no one present was more professional than Zheng Xiaoxiao.
"In the first battle, we can see that the trainer's nurturing of Butterfree was very thorough. Scyther's nurturing was slightly inferior, and the use of Gust was indeed a very effective surprise tactic. Didn't you teach her this?"
Xia Huna shook his head: "I did have this idea, but she didn't learn this move from me. Who knows where she picked it up."
Zheng Xiaoxiao continued his commentary: "The second battle is hard to say much about. Luck played a significant role. Although nurturing was also a factor, if Metronome had chosen a different move, Sentret could have battled for a bit longer."
However, when it came to the third battle, Zheng Xiaoxiao spoke less: "The gap in nurturing between the two sides was not significant, but Guo Shuang'er's luck with Metronome was truly exceptional. She first used Metronome for Gust to blow back Hypnosis, and then used Metronome for Gravity to control Butterfree. This truly amazes us."
Yu Linglong, sitting beside him, said: "Indeed, purely from a nurturing perspective, the gap between all twelve contestants I saw today is not large. What do you think, Jin Fangsu?"
Jin Fangsu analyzed from the perspective of performance: "Well, analyzing from the aspect of performance effect, it's understandable that some didn't perform as expected since this is their first time participating in such a competition. However, in this competition, I did see some students who are very suitable for entering the entertainment industry, right, Linglong-jie?"
Yu Linglong nodded: "That's right, there are a few promising talents."
Tong Ru then interjected: "Dual Powder Cyclone, you taught her that, right? It's not good for the chairman to help contestants."
Xia Huna smiled wryly: "You don't know, for all twelve contestants here, I have configured a specific move for each. For example, I configured Scyther with Swords Dance, and Munchlax with Metronome..."
"You configured Metronome?"
"Yes, she said she was lucky, so I gave her Metronome. Who would have thought her luck would be so good that she would win the championship?"
After a few more words, having confirmed that he had indeed not shown any favoritism, Xia Huna said: "Everyone, let's not dwell on this topic. Let's proceed with the awards ceremony."