The entire stadium stood. No one remained seated. The atmosphere had completely changed. After defeating both Thundrion and Infernarx, Noivern had become the center of everyone's attention. But now...
Lucario walked calmly onto the battlefield. Its red eyes never left Noivern. The two Pokémon stared at one another.
The wind swept across the battlefield.
Current Score
Elior
2 Pokémon Remaining
Mira
2 Pokémon Remaining
The referee raised both flags.
"Battle... Begin!"
Mira wasted no time.
"Noivern, Air Slash!"
Noivern beat its wings, releasing a barrage of razor-sharp wind blades.
Elior remained calm.
"Lucario, Detect!"
Lucario closed its eyes. Its Aura spread across the battlefield. At the last possible moment, it sidestepped each Air Slash with precise movements. The crowd burst into applause.
"Aura Sphere!"
A blue sphere of Aura energy formed between Lucario's paws. It shot toward Noivern.
"Boomburst!"
A tremendous wave of sound collided with the Aura Sphere.
BOOM!
Both attacks exploded in midair. Neither side gained the advantage.
"Quick Attack!"
Lucario dashed forward. Noivern flew upward. Lucario immediately jumped from a broken pillar of rock, chasing it into the air. The audience gasped.
Lucario had no wings...Yet it was matching Noivern's aerial movements through sheer agility.
"Noivern, Dragon Pulse!"
A beam of dragon energy erupted from Noivern's mouth.
"Aura Sphere!"
Lucario launched another Aura Sphere.
The two attacks collided.
This time, Lucario pushed through. The Aura Sphere exploded directly in front of Noivern. Smoke covered the sky.
As the smoke cleared, Noivern suddenly appeared behind Lucario.
"Dragon Claw!"
Its claws glowed bright green.
Elior smiled.
He had been waiting for this.
"Counter!"
At the exact moment Noivern struck, Lucario caught its arm and redirected the force.
The momentum threw Noivern off balance.
"Now! Meteor Mash!"
Lucario's fist shone with brilliant steel energy. It landed squarely on Noivern's chest.
CRAAASH!!
Noivern crashed into the battlefield.
The stadium shook.
Noivern struggled to rise. It spread its wings. It took to the air once more.
The crowd applauded its determination.
Mira smiled proudly.
"One last attack...Boomburst!"
Noivern unleashed every ounce of remaining strength. The powerful shockwave raced toward Lucario.
"Aura Sphere!"
Lucario fired its strongest Aura Sphere yet. The two attacks collided. The Aura Sphere broke through. It struck Noivern directly. A brilliant explosion lit up the arena. When the smoke disappeared...Noivern slowly descended. It landed on the battlefield. Its wings trembled.
It looked toward Mira. Then gently closed its eyes. The referee raised the green flag.
"Noivern is unable to battle! Lucario wins!"
The stadium erupted into deafening applause. Lucario had stopped Mira's incredible comeback.
Score
Elior
2 Pokémon Remaining
Mira
1 Pokémon Remaining
The battlefield fell silent. Mira smiled softly. She looked at the last Poké Ball on her belt. The one she had never used throughout the tournament. She gently held it in her hand.
"You've been waiting long enough..."
She looked across the battlefield at Elior.
"Meet my strongest partner."
The crowd held its breath.
The final Poké Ball began to glow.
TO BE CONTINUED...