Pokémon have arrived, and they're really not called magical beasts.

[So pretty!]

[I'm speechless—just "holy crap" sums it up.]

[Never knew moves could combo like that! Learned something new!]

[Forget Butterfree—I'm claiming the trainer!]

After Su Feng scored the first contestant a 7, Mick gave her a 6, while Barbara—enchanted by the glittery spectacle—awarded a 9. The fourth judge, Hall, a muscular man dripping in gold chains and jade rings, gave a bland 5.

"Hall's a billionaire jeweler," Mick whispered. "Not exactly 'approachable,' unless you count his bank account."

The contestant's final score: 6.9 after averaging audience votes and trimming extremes.

Contestant #2: The Ice Sculptor

A smug man in a white suit strutted onstage with a Sneasel. With a snap, crew members hauled out a human-sized ice block.

"Sneasel, Slash!"

The Pokémon's claws glowed as it shredded the ice, screeching like nails on a chalkboard. Five minutes later, a crude ice sculpture of Mick stood dripping onstage.

Su Feng cringed. Elegant? More like ear-splitting.

Mick: 9/10 (flattered).

Barbara: 3/10 (visibly recoiling).

Hall: 2/10 (stone-faced).

Su Feng: 4/10 ("Creativity points, but…cleanup crew's nightmare").

Final score: 3.0.

[Livestream Chat:]

[That ice sculpture looks like a melted snowman!]

[Bro really thought flattery = talent?]

[At least Sneasel's claws are sharp…?]

Contestant #3: The Martial Artist

A buff trainer and his Hitmonchan took the stage. "Hitmonchan, Mach Punch!"

The duo performed a choreographed spar—dodges, counters, and controlled punches that stopped millimeters from the trainer's face. The crowd roared as Hitmonchan's precision wowed even Hall.

Su Feng: 9/10 ("Masterful control!").

Hall: 9/10 (nodding approval).

Mick/Barbara: 6/10 ("Where's the glamour?").

Final score: 7.5—temporarily claiming first place.

Contestant #4: The Virtuoso

A violinist in a tuxedo released a Kricketune. "Sing!"

Kricketune's chirps harmonized with the violin, weaving a haunting melody. The audience sat spellbound.

Su Feng: 9/10 ("Perfection!").

Mick: 9/10 ("Avant-garde!").

Barbara/Hall: 7/10 ("Too…buggy").

Final score: 8.0—stealing the lead.

The remaining four contestants fizzled—one tried having Pidgeot slice fruit with Steel Wing, earning a collective meh. By night's end, four finalists advanced to tomorrow's semifinals.

Exhausted, Su Feng returned to his suite—only to freeze in horror.

The incubator sat empty.

"WHERE'S MY EGG?!"