The intertwined red and blue energy surged up once more.
"Latios, Meteor Shower!"
Natsuhiko shouted at the same time.
Latios's condition wasn't much better than Braviary's.
It could feel, deep down, this Braviary's decisiveness and tenacity.
Those attacks really were relentless, coming one after another.
They made it hard for Latios to even fend them off.
After all, it had only just stepped into Elite Candidate Level; it hadn't had time to fully stabilize the changes in its own power, so having a gap in raw strength was normal.
But that didn't mean there was no chance.
Braviary choosing a full-on assault was exactly its best opportunity.
Its chest swelled, blue‑violet energy spilling incessantly from its mouth; as Braviary charged in, Latios unleashed the strongest move it had been building up without any hesitation.
A terrifying, ferocious fireball accompanied by blue‑violet energy coiling around it like a giant dragon.
It shot straight upward.
This was a clash between a roaring giant dragon and a mighty hunting falcon.
The spectators clenched their hands together, waiting for the outcome of this collision like planets smashing into each other.
BOOM——!!!
In the burst of blinding light and deafening thunder.
Braviary slammed into the magma fireballs of Meteor Shower.
Crack——
The crisp sound seemed to be announcing the result.
Screee!!
With a long cry, Braviary, wrapped in its tattered outer coat, actually broke through Meteor Shower's blockade.
The sight left the audience clicking their tongues in disbelief.
This Braviary was way too fierce.
Latios's heart trembled slightly as well, impressed by Braviary's resolve and ferocity.
But admiration was one thing.
While Meteor Shower was holding Braviary back, the now‑recovered Latios exhaled once.
The biting Frozen Wind flew out again.
The extremes of scorching heat and freezing cold.
Such a sudden overlap in temperatures made even Braviary's wings quiver and shudder.
Yet Braviary's gaze remained rock‑solid.
Braving the Frozen Wind laced with snowflakes and ice crystals, it raided straight up to Latios's face.
Except.
At this moment Braviary no longer had the strength to lift its talons.
It rammed head‑first into Latios's body.
Thud——!!
The two Pokémon crashed toward the ground together.
BOOM!
A huge cloud of dust billowed up, blocking the spectators' view of what had happened.
The next second.
"Oss!!"
A surge of air instantly blew the dust away.
Latios, panting heavily, staggered back into the air.
While the ferocious, ever‑forward Braviary lay in the cratered pit of the battlefield.
The audience fell briefly silent.
Then cheers burst out all at once.
They were not only for the victorious Latios, but also for Braviary, which had let everyone feel its toughness and its valor.
Defeated, yet honorable.
When Latios lowered its head to look down at Braviary on the ground, there was respect in its gaze.
An opponent like this was absolutely worthy of respect.
Latios wobbled twice in the air, then slowly descended toward the ground.
It, too, barely had any stamina left to keep going.
"Come back, Latios."
Natsuhiko took out a Pokeball and recalled Latios.
Though it had won this bout, it was almost the same as a draw; Latios no longer had the strength to fight on.
Kukui also recalled Braviary, then took a deep breath and smiled.
Proud of the effort Braviary had given.
"You did more than enough, Braviary."
"Royal Masked Man's Braviary has lost the ability to battle! The winner is Latios!! However, Latios is also badly injured—Natsuhiko has recalled it, so it probably won't be sent out again later." The announcer chimed in at the right moment.
"Let's thank these two Pokémon for giving us such a spectacular battle!"
Applause rippled across the arena once more.
It was time again for the two to each send out a Pokémon.
Natsuhiko looked toward Kukui.
He had already revealed five Pokémon, four of which had lost the ability to battle.
There was still one left unknown.
Incineroar was Kukui's ace, but the one saved for last shouldn't be easy to deal with either.
He just didn't know what this final one was.
The Decidueye that had appeared before?
Or Primarina?
Natsuhiko wasn't given much time to ponder.
At the referee's signal, Natsuhiko took out a Pokeball.
Two Pokeballs traced smooth arcs as they were tossed onto the field.
Scarlet light flashed.
Vrrrm——
Beating wings, fine crackling currents, sharp long needles and crimson compound eyes.
After weighing his options, Natsuhiko sent out Beedrill.
And on the opposite side.
"Roar——!!"
Another imposing bellow, glinting scales reflecting the light, and a ringing impact as it landed.
The heavy armor made it clear this Pokémon was built for battle; the club‑like structure formed by the scales on its tail slammed the ground in a special rhythm.
"Natsuhiko sends out Beedrill once again! And Royal Masked Man's final Pokémon turns out to be Kommo-o——!!"
Kommo-o!
Natsuhiko looked at Kukui in considerable surprise.
He hadn't expected him to be hiding this card.
No wonder he'd been so eager to take down Togekiss earlier.
With Kukui's ability, and given Natsuhiko's previous battles.
It shouldn't be hard to deduce that Fairy Type also has a type advantage over Fighting Type.
That means Togekiss, a Fairy Type, not only hits Kommo-o four times super effectively as a Fairy, but also twice super effectively as a Flying Type; the type disadvantage is huge.
Only, judging from the current situation, even knowing the threat Togekiss posed, Kukui had no choice but to send out Kommo-o.