The battlefield groaned under the shifting weight of ice.
Steam and shattered frost lingered from the clash with Cloyster.
Skylar stood, breathing heavily, the cold biting into his lungs.
Across the arena, Lorelei released her next Pokémon.
The ball burst open with a shimmer of ocean-blue light.
Lapras materialized—grand, serene, yet radiating raw power.
The very air seemed to calm around it.
The song of the deep waters filled the air, low and haunting.
Skylar felt it vibrate in his chest—a memory of endless seas and forgotten ages.
He gritted his teeth.
Arcanine—wounded but standing—emerged from his PokéBall.
He shook his magnificent mane, growling deep in his throat, ready.
Skylar knelt beside him, touching his side.
"You've done so much already," he said softly.
"You don't have to fight this one if you can't."
Arcanine growled again—louder.
Stronger.
He stepped forward without hesitation, steam rising from his cracked paws.
Skylar smiled faintly.
"Alright. Let's give them hell."
The referee dropped the flag.
"Begin!"
Lorelei moved first.
"Lapras—Surf."
The arena trembled.
Lapras sang—and from beneath the frozen lake floor, a tidal wave burst upward, flooding across the battlefield in a roaring wall of water.
Skylar reacted instantly.
"Extreme Speed—high ground!"
Arcanine blurred into motion, faster than sight, leaping atop a rising glacier pillar just as the wave crashed past.
Water splattered into the mist beyond.
The arena floor turned slick, patches of ice now submerged beneath shallow freezing water.
Skylar's mind raced.
He couldn't win a war of endurance.
He had to gamble everything on disruption.
"Flamethrower, concentrated—aim for her eyes!"
Arcanine roared, launching a narrow, piercing jet of flame.
It wasn't about damage—it was about blinding Lapras.
For a moment, steam exploded around her face.
Lapras bellowed, shaking her massive head.
Lorelei responded instantly.
"Lapras—Body Slam!"
Skylar cursed.
"Move, Arc—!"
Too late.
Lapras surged forward with shocking speed for her size, slamming into the glacier pillar.
It cracked—
And shattered.
Arcanine leapt clear, but not cleanly—his hind leg caught, twisting midair.
He hit the ground heavily, skidding across the ice.
Pain shot through him.
Skylar winced.
His partner struggled upright, favoring his right hind leg.
But still standing.
Still fighting.
Skylar breathed hard.
Every second mattered.
Every move now could be the last.
He saw it in Arcanine's burning eyes.
One more attack.
One last push.
He pointed sharply.
"Wild Charge! Full power! No holding back!"
Arcanine howled.
Electricity exploded around him, crackling across his fur.
He charged—unstoppable, blinding.
Lapras lowered her head, preparing to counter.
But Skylar wasn't aiming for her body.
"Aim low—strike the lake!"
At the last second, Arcanine slammed his electrified body into the icy water itself.
The shockwave traveled through the flooded arena like lightning unleashed.
Lapras cried out—stunned, twitching from the unexpected surge.
For a heartbeat—Skylar thought it might be enough.
Might tip the battle.
But Lapras was ancient.
Battle-hardened.
Tougher than iron.
Lorelei whispered:
"Lapras—Hydro Pump. Now."
From the misty, steaming battlefield, a concentrated blast of water surged forth—
Striking Arcanine dead-on.
He was thrown backwards across the field.
His body hit the ground hard, skidding.
He struggled.
Tried to rise.
But his legs buckled beneath him.
The light faded from his burning eyes.
The referee's voice cracked through the cold air.
"Arcanine is unable to battle! Victory to Lapras!"
Silence.
Skylar slowly walked across the battlefield.
He knelt beside Arcanine, running a trembling hand along his soaked, battered fur.
"You were incredible," he whispered.
Arcanine let out a faint huff—almost a laugh—before slipping into unconsciousness.
Skylar smiled sadly.
He returned his partner to the PokéBall with a soft glow.
Across the field, Lorelei's Lapras floated serenely, recovering slowly from the shock attack.
Lorelei herself watched Skylar carefully.
There was no mocking.
No contempt.
Only a deep, approving respect.
Skylar had forced her to fight seriously.
He rose to his feet slowly.
He still had Pokémon left.
Still had heart.
Still had battles to win.
Skylar tucked Arcanine's PokéBall against his chest for a moment—silent thanks.
Then clipped it back to his belt.
He pulled out his next ball.
This time—
Lucario.