Elesa’s invitation caught Hikaru off guard. The venue’s heated atmosphere left him no choice but to accept, and some people even wore expressions of blatant envy.

“Ah! Elesa-sama’s Fashion Battle Show! Sometimes this does happen!” Shion seemed quite familiar with these events. For her, both the Battle Subway and fashion shows were favorites, though battles held a slightly larger share of her heart.

Hikaru had no choice but to step onto the stage. Elesa had finished her first runway walk and returned to the wide center of the stage.

This scene… this composition… suddenly gave Hikaru déjà vu.

Ah… isn’t this… that segment from the Black 2 promotional video featuring Nate?

Taking the stage, then Elesa removing her outer dress, and immediately transitioning into battle.

This was the Fashion Battle Show!

“Welcome to this dazzling stage!”

Elesa stood with one hand on her hip, her dress accentuating her beauty as she tilted her head slightly towards Hikaru to introduce herself:

“Battling isn’t just about fighting – it’s a performance that displays your entire self! Costume changes are the basis of fashion shows. And in my show, Pokémon battles are a must! The battlefield is my stage!”

“My lovely Pokémon, and your Pokémon – which of them is the true shining star?”

“Let’s find out right here!”

As her lines ended, the arena erupted with thunderous cheers. Elesa’s fans screamed with excitement. Some in the audience began to realize something:

“Wait… isn’t he that genius artist? The news celebrity?”

“That’s right! Didn’t he design Elesa-sama’s outfit too?”

“So this isn’t just a random challenger – it’s designer versus model! Yes, yes, let’s go!”

“Sorry for the sudden invitation,” Elesa smiled. “But I know who you are – the genius artist who designed this outfit. Burgh told me about you. I really wanted to meet you.”

“Let me introduce myself. I am Elesa, Gym Leader of Nimbasa.”

“I’m amazed your design garnered such a huge response!”

Hikaru replied, “That’s because Elesa-sama herself is beautiful. Beautiful clothes paired with a beautiful person – that’s ‘Adaptability,’ isn’t it?”

“Ah… ‘Adaptability,’ huh!” Elesa seemed surprised he used that term but grew even more interested.

“But as a model, I can tell… today’s cheers are more fervent than ever before. It’s not just me – that extra passion is thanks to your design!”

“So… wearing this outfit, I’m the one who should be honored. This battle makes me so happy. I hope you enjoy it as well. And I hope you design even more unique, colorful outfits!”

Although Elesa appeared like an ice-cold beauty, she was actually very outgoing. Few knew she was a pun-loving dork.

Hikaru could see her excitement – even her cheeks flushed pink from emotion. She then sent out her Pokémon:

Zebstrika, Emolga, and… Luxray!

Hm, her World Championship lineup.

Hikaru almost wanted to say, “No need to go full force for a show battle,” but seeing her brimming enthusiasm, she clearly wanted a serious match.

Probably because she heard he had defeated Burgh at full strength and now wanted to test herself.

If that was the case…

Hikaru opened his Poké Ball, sending out his first Pokémon:

Lilligant!

Would this count as a “fashion display” too? Probably, since Elesa was wearing his design, even if it was a replica of the original.

[Connection Quest: Complete Elesa’s Fashion Battle Performance!]

[Description: Your design captured the heart of Unova’s top model Elesa, gathering the hearts of many. Now the Gym Leader has challenged you to battle!]

[Reward: Reveal Glass x3, Electric Radiance x1, Artistic Talent x1, TM (Wild Charge), Volt Badge x1!]

Elesa’s eyes sparkled. “Your first is Lilligant! I heard from Burgh – it’s an ancient form of Lilligant, right? With elegant dances and powerful kicks! My first choice, go – Zebstrika!”

Under Elesa’s command and the surrounding cheers, Zebstrika charged forth. Quadrupeds like it outsped humanoid Pokémon easily. Hikaru remembered it possessed a particular high-tier move.

Elesa: “Flame Charge!”

As expected!

Not only Flame Charge, but also Overheat! To counter Grass-types despite its Electric typing, it learned two Fire moves.

However!

“Seems Burgh didn’t tell you everything.”

Zebstrika, wreathed in flames, rushed at Lilligant. Flame Charge cloaked it in fire to raise its Speed by one stage upon use.

It smashed into Lilligant, only to be blocked by her leafy blades!

“Eh?!” Elesa gasped as Lilligant’s leaves gleamed bright green, then shone even more brilliantly.

Fire-type move nullified? And those glowing leaves… could it be… Synthesis!

“My Lilligant has high Fire resistance. This battle is over.”

With sudden force, Lilligant hurled Zebstrika into the air.

Then – Close Combat! Her graceful martial dance landed strike after strike. Zebstrika screamed as she pounded it from midair, ending with a swirling ice-kick!

Ice Spinner! Zebstrika was launched at extreme speed. Hikaru didn’t dare let such a quality Pokémon stay on the field. He ended it decisively in one move.

Zebstrika’s hidden ability is Sap Sipper, and Hikaru wasn’t sure of its ability, so he avoided Grass moves altogether.

“…Defeated.” Elesa stood stunned for a long while. She had never been beaten so quickly. Though only her first Pokémon fell, the unreal feeling was intense.

But… it was exhilarating!

“Return, Zebstrika. It wasn’t your fault – it was mine. You shone brilliantly.”

Elesa sighed as she recalled Zebstrika. N in the crowd heard Zebstrika’s inner voice:

Losing happens. Everyone goes through it. Being defeated this quickly… brings back memories…

“Memories? Of its weaker days training hard?”

It met Elesa on a rainy day… lost and scared after filming. Thunder struck and its mane glowed… their meeting was fate.

“N-san,” Shion tugged his sleeve, whispering, “Listening to Pokémon is fine, but don’t say it out loud, okay? That’s rude, like peeking into someone’s past.”

“Ah, sorry.” N coughed lightly, shielding their trophies.

Zebstrika had just been rambling to itself in its Poké Ball.

“Haha! That was amazing! Your Pokémon dazzled me with its dance!” Elesa snapped her fingers, realizing this genius artist was no ordinary Trainer. Burgh was right – in just a few days, Hikaru had grown even stronger.

That ancient Lilligant’s battle dance… a storm-like martial art, yet graceful and elegant. In a performance match, it would quickly become a star.

But now wasn’t the time to be mesmerized!

“Emolga, go!”

Emolga took the field – a white flying squirrel Pokémon with black eyes, a small nose, and two yellow electric sacs. Its black rounded ears had yellow and white interiors. As Electric/Flying, it had a 4x advantage against Grass/Fighting.

Hikaru withdrew Lilligant, sending out his second Pokémon:

Riolu, equipped with its Spy Cloak, standing like a lone warrior.

The Spy Cloak prevents additional effects – an essential tool. With a hat, he could cosplay as the Aura Hero.

“A Fighting-type? An unusual choice against Flying… but I won’t repeat my last mistake! I know this Riolu from Burgh’s sketches. The Storm Hero is it? I heard it has a unique Copycat that mimics any move.”

Elesa had gleaned intel from Burgh’s art exhibit sketches that would later become full paintings featuring Hikaru’s Pokémon.

“Charm it, Emolga!”

The female Emolga blew a kiss, sending pink hearts swirling around Riolu – the move Attract. In reality, infatuation often rendered a Pokémon nearly immobile.

However—!

“Aura Release.”

Riolu ignored the flying hearts as triple aura formed a powerful barrier, blocking Attract entirely!

“Protect? No… what is that? An Aura-using Riolu?!”

Most people rarely saw Lucario, and an Aura-using Riolu was even rarer. Emolga froze in midair. Meeting Riolu’s eyes, an overwhelming pressure unsettled her.

What was this force?!

Hikaru watched the triple aura and thought, If I change its shape slightly, it’s basically an AT Field from Evangelion…

“Aura is a spiritual power with many uses. It can create shields or attack. All wave-based moves are aura applications.”

“For example—”

His words halted. Riolu closed its eyes, its mind soaring skyward, connecting to the power of the cosmos!

Stellar Aura, connect!

A violet-blue glow surged from Riolu’s paws.

Dragon Pulse!

“Protect!” Elesa cried. But the green shield barely began to form before Dragon Pulse slammed Emolga into the ceiling!

“Hm, the ceiling’s pretty solid. The steel frame didn’t even shudder. Tough as a texture model,” Hikaru mused, again admiring Pokémon world materials engineering.

Emolga staggered out of the smoke, gazing at Riolu in awe.

So strong… I haven’t met such a powerful opponent in so long…

Emolga’s fighting spirit ignited despite her injuries. She dove again with Acrobatics, empowered by her Flying Gem!

But—

Riolu simply stepped aside, grabbing Emolga’s tail and slamming her down. She struggled to rise, her determination unbroken.

I can’t let my Trainer down. I must prove I’m strong too!

N heard her unyielding heart. Emolga spun with Air Slash + Acrobatics, fusing into a storming aerial assault.

Elesa gave no command – she simply thought it, and Emolga understood. The dress’s hidden ability, passed down from the original design, allowed wearer and Pokémon to connect hearts.

That’s right… this was the power of the designer’s fabric!

“Go!” Elesa’s excitement soared.

But Riolu’s aura darkened into a galaxy of malicious energy.

Stellar Aura: Dark Pulse!

Darkness clashed with Emolga’s gleaming attack, repelling her strike and pushing her back.

Elesa’s heart pounded.

She saw her Pokémon’s radiant resolve – an unyielding will she had never witnessed before.

Hikaru’s aura ability had unknowingly ignited both Trainer and Pokémon’s spirits.

Wild Charge!

Emolga burst forth, lightning and flight merging in a dazzling flash.

But Riolu dashed forward with Extreme Speed, then unleashed Earth Power, sending Emolga flying off the stage.

“Second one down.”

The audience fell silent at Elesa’s defeat.

But Elesa only murmured:

“Brighter… stronger… the sun outshines lightning after all.”

“Thank you, Emolga. It was my fault, not yours. You shone brilliantly, but their light was even brighter.”

“Thank you, challenger, for this perfect Fashion Battle performance. Your Pokémon shone brighter than mine. And thank you, dear audience!”

Her heart filled with clarity. She saw only admiration for Hikaru’s Pokémon’s radiant light.

She made a new resolve:

I want to shine even brighter!

Finally, she sent out her trump card:

“Luxray!”

Hikaru recalled Riolu.

His final choice was already decided.

He threw a Dream Ball, releasing:

Larvesta!

“Mela”

Larvesta hummed, eager to face Luxray.

“Since it’s a performance… let’s show our greatest power.”

This was Larvesta’s first battle.

Hikaru’s psychic energy flowed out:

The Hero’s Resolve! The Hero’s Determination!

Power, endurance, energy, will – all rose explosively. With Cynthia’s “Willpower Bond” and Volkner’s “Harsh Bond,” every stat surged.

Larvesta burned with GX-level flames – Flare Blitz with a Fire Gem boost!

“Me~la!”

The tiny sun charged, blazing brighter than Luxray’s lightning. It crashed through with unstoppable force, smashing Luxray into the digital backdrop.

When the light faded, Larvesta crawled out triumphantly, still shining brightly.

“Me~lala!”

Its first victory cry!

Elesa gazed upon the radiant Larvesta, her eyes reflecting only its dazzling brilliance.

“More… I want to see more of this light,” she whispered.

“Thank you. As proof of your victory, please accept this Volt Badge.”

“I’ll continue training… Also…” Elesa smiled playfully.

“I hope you design even more beautiful clothes. As you said, I will strive to become someone worthy of wearing them – that’s ‘Adaptability,’ isn’t it?”

(End of Chapter)

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep