The arena was still soaked from Lapras's Hydro Pump.
Mist hung low, swirling across the battlefield.
Skylar stood firm, hand tight around his next PokéBall.
He pressed it to his forehead for a moment.
"Your turn," he whispered.
He hurled it forward.
The ball exploded in a flash of blue-white light—
And Lucario landed with perfect balance, aura flickering around his steel-hard form.
He knelt slightly in greeting to Skylar, eyes never leaving Lapras.
Lorelei's face remained unreadable.
Her Lapras floated patiently, breathing slow and steady, waiting.
The referee raised his flag.
"Battle begin!"
Skylar's mind raced.
Strength against strength would lose.
Lapras was simply too massive, too durable.
He needed precision.
He needed to dance.
He pointed sharply.
"Lucario—Agility! Spiral formation!"
Lucario blurred into motion.
His body glowed faintly, moving in tight circular patterns around Lapras.
Always shifting.
Always just out of reach.
Lapras tracked him—but couldn't get a clean shot.
Lorelei gave her first command.
"Lapras—Blizzard. Spread the field."
The air dropped instantly.
Frost and ice exploded outward, covering the entire battlefield in a swirling storm.
Snow blinded vision.
The temperature plunged.
Skylar shouted over the roaring wind.
"Pulse Attack! Focus on the aura!"
Lucario's hands glowed—
He fired precise, rapid Aura Spheres through the blizzard.
They homed in, guided not by sight, but by feeling Lapras's massive presence.
Small detonations rocked the field.
Lapras grunted.
One.
Two.
Three hits.
Minimal damage—but enough to keep her off-balance.
Skylar grinned fiercely.
He was nicking away.
Lapras wasn't invincible.
Lorelei adjusted.
"Lapras—Confuse Ray!"
A beam of shimmering, ghostly light shot toward Lucario.
Skylar saw it too late.
The beam struck—
Lucario staggered.
Eyes briefly unfocused.
The aura around him wavered.
Skylar's stomach dropped.
"Stay with me!" he cried.
Lucario growled low, clutching his head.
Skylar took a risk.
"Swords Dance! Anchor yourself!"
Lucario's body blazed with energy.
The confusion twisted and fought him—but his will, sharpened by training and faith in Skylar, forced it aside.
The boost took hold.
Lucario's muscles tensed.
His aura flared—
Stronger than ever.
The blizzard around him parted slightly.
Skylar smiled sharply.
There you are, partner.
"Close Combat!" Skylar roared.
Lucario dashed forward like a bullet.
He struck Lapras hard—
Rapid punches and kicks landing in perfect rhythm.
Each blow echoed through the arena like war drums.
Lapras roared in protest.
Frost armor cracked under the relentless assault.
Lorelei narrowed her eyes.
"Lapras—Body Slam."
Lapras spun her massive form—
And dropped.
The impact cratered the ice beneath them, sending out a shockwave.
Lucario was flung backwards, skidding hard across the field.
Skylar's heart lurched.
But Lucario rose.
Shaking.
Bleeding from his lip.
But standing.
"Finish it," Skylar whispered fiercely.
"Aura Sphere—maximum focus."
Lucario gathered energy between his palms.
A sphere of radiant blue formed—larger than before.
Condensed.
Perfect.
He launched it.
Lapras countered with Hydro Pump.
The two attacks collided midair.
For a moment, the arena was a maelstrom of clashing forces.
Then—
The Aura Sphere pushed through.
Pierced the Hydro Pump.
And struck Lapras square in the chest.
The explosion of energy sent Lapras sliding backwards—
Until she finally stopped.
Her body trembled.
Then slumped.
Fainting gently into unconsciousness.
Silence.
The referee raised the flag.
"Lapras is unable to battle! Victory to Lucario!"