The arena crackled with tension. Dust swirled in the air as Dragonair, bruised and struggling to stay aloft, glided shakily in front of Ray. Across the field stood Aurora's Gyarados, its eyes cold and calculating, fangs glistening with the desire to end the match.
Ray's heart pounded in his chest.
Dragonair could barely move. It had taken a beating—first the Twister, then being slammed to the ground by Crunch. There was no way it could endure another direct hit.
And yet… Ray's eyes shone with quiet fire. "Dragonair," he called out, voice calm but resolute. "I need you to trust me."
Dragonair let out a soft trill in response, its eyes locking with his. The bond between them pulsed in the air like a heartbeat.
"Start attacking—long-range only. Don't get close."
Aurora tilted her head. "Still fighting? Admirable… but foolish."
Ray pointed. "Dragon Breath. Now!"
A stream of greenish-blue energy burst from Dragonair's mouth, striking Gyarados across its armored midsection. The Water-type grunted, clearly annoyed but not significantly harmed. Still, it had to brace itself.
"Again! Dragon Breath!"
Another bolt. Then a third.
Aurora narrowed her eyes. So that's the plan… wear it down from a distance?
"Gyarados, block with Twister."
Gyarados whipped its tail and summoned a swirling vortex of wind and energy, disrupting the Dragon Breath blasts and closing the distance between them slightly.
"Now use Aqua Tail!" Aurora barked.
The enormous Gyarados surged forward through the twister it had summoned, leaping high with its tail glowing a fierce blue.
"Dodge!" Ray commanded.
Dragonair weaved left, barely avoiding the attack. But its breathing was heavy. Its tail drooped low. Aurora noticed immediately.
"She's out of stamina," she muttered.
Her expression steeled.
"End this. Crunch."
Gyarados surged again, mouth opening wide to reveal jagged, gleaming teeth. It lunged directly toward Dragonair.
Ray didn't flinch. He waited—eyes fixed, unwavering.
"NOW!" he shouted. "Thunder!!"
In an instant, Dragonair's body shimmered with golden light, and from the heavens above, a colossal bolt of lightning tore down through the air.
The Thunder attack connected squarely with Gyarados mid-air.
BOOM!!
Electricity danced violently across Gyarados' scales. The Water-Flying-type let out a deafening roar of pain before crashing hard onto the battlefield, dust erupting beneath its massive frame. Silence followed.
The referee stood frozen for a moment before lifting his hand.
"Gyarados is unable to battle! Dragonair wins!"
The crowd erupted. Gasps and cheers flooded the stadium.
Aurora's eyes widened. Her composed, icy demeanor cracked slightly. She stared at the field, visibly surprised.
"That's not… Dragonair can't naturally learn Thunder," she whispered. "Unless…"
Her thoughts raced. Then she narrowed her gaze at Ray.
He must've taught it with a TM. But those are tightly regulated… only select researchers have access to that level of rarity.
Her eyes darkened. Of course. Professor Oak. He gave him access.
On the sidelines, Ray remembered vividly.
— Flashback —
The day before.
"Consider this a reward, Ray," the Professor had said, handing him a silver-etched permit. "You've earned it. Choose any Technical Machine from the vault. Use it wisely."
Ray had stared at it with disbelief, then smiled with quiet appreciation.
— End Flashback —
Back in the present, Ray exhaled deeply. "Thank you, Professor…"
Dragonair floated downward slowly, its body flickering with the last remnants of electrical energy. It was clearly exhausted—on the verge of collapse. Ray reached for its Pokéball.
"You were amazing. Rest now."
Dragonair vanished in a flash of red.
Across the field, Aurora's expression hardened again. Her emotions calmed. The cold returned to her gaze.
"Enough," she said icily. "I won't play around anymore."
She pulled her final Pokéball from her sash.
"This ends now."
With a flick, the Pokéball burst open—light exploded onto the battlefield.
A hulking, draconic silhouette emerged, slamming into the ground with such force that dust exploded around it.
When the mist cleared, the crowd let out a collective gasp.
"GARCHOMP?!"
The land shark Pokémon stood tall, blades glinting, fangs bared.
Ray's eyes narrowed. "She hadn't used that one before…"
Aurora locked eyes with him.
"This is my ace."
The announcer, momentarily stunned, fumbled to speak.
"Ladies and gentlemen—Aurora reveals a Garchomp as her final Pokémon!"
Ray took a deep breath, eyes locked on the predator across the field.
The real battle had just begun.