"Now then, begin the battle!"
"Chandelure," Clara thrust out her hand. "Will-O-Wisp!"
"Shadow Sneak!" I called out to my Mimikyu. "Don't let her hit you!"
Mimi dove into a puddle of shadows, snaking across the ground. She moved behind Chandelure, keeping herself in her opponent's blind spot.
"Now Shadow Ball!" I yelled.
Mimi leaped from the shadows, launching a Shadow Ball from her claw. It smashed into Chandelure from behind, making the Ghost type whirl around, only to see Mimi disappear again into the shadows.
"You're both Ghosts," Clara narrowed her eyes. "Sense for her!"
Chandelure began spinning rapidly, her ghostly aura spreading out around her.
"No time like the present!" I closed my fist. "Shadow Claw!"
"There! Shadow Ball!" Clara yelled and Chandelure spun around, blasting Mimi with the Ghost type attack. She crashed into a tree, the leaves falling around her. However, despite the head of her costume having gone limp, she looked unhurt.
Suddenly, I had an idea. "Into the trees!"
Mimi disappeared in a flash, hiding among the leaves.
"Burn it all down!" Clara shouted. "Inferno!"
A raging column of fire erupted around Chandelure, burning the trees and bushes. Mimi leaped from one tree to another, trying to avoid the fire while also staying out of sight.
"Blind her!" I commanded. "Dazzling Gleam!"
Mimi leaped from a burning branch above Chandelure, the light blasting Chandelure. "Follow up with Shadow Claw!" I yelled and huge claws raked against the Ghost/Fire type, flinging her away.
"Use that momentum and use Fire Spin!" Clara ordered and Chandelure spun even faster, flames shooting towards Mimi and circling around her. Chandelure slammed into a tree as Mimi flinched at the flames causing her damage.
The heat was beginning to become unbearable now, the flames roaring higher around the two Pokemon. Even I took a step back from the heat, watching as Mimi suffered within the blaze.
"Alright, enough," I held out her Pokeball. "Mimi, return!"
"And Zeno is the first to recall his Pokemon! A good choice for the moment as the fire intensifies!"
"What, can't take the heat?" Clara taunted.
"Not quite," I smirked, sending out Arcanine among the flames. "Arcanine, Flame Wheel!"
Arcanine howled, running forwards before curling into a wheel of fire. He zoomed through the flames, gaining speed and power.
"Take the hit!" Clara commanded and Chandelure took the Flame Wheel head on, bearing the explosion of fire that resulted. When the smoke had cleared, Chandelure's blue flames rose higher than before as Arcanine took a couple steps away.
"Uh-oh! It looks like this Chandelure has the Flash Fire ability! Now she's even stronger than before!"
"Inferno!" Clara roared and the column of fire blasted into existence around Arcanine. He roared in pain as the fire grew stronger.
"Extreme Speed!" I shouted quickly. "Straight through!"
Arcanine blasted forwards, his body phasing through Chandelure's own body.
"Now Crunch!" I ordered and Arcanine twisted his body around, clamping his jaws around the Ghost type.
"Fire Spin to shake him off!" Clara commanded.
"Thunder Fang!" I shouted.
Electricity sparked from Arcanine's maw and shot along Chandelure's body, temporarily stunning her.
"Finish her!" I pumped out my fist. "Play Rough!"
Arcanine slammed Chandelure into the ground, battering her with all four limbs and fangs. He slammed Chandelure into a burnt tree, snapping it like a twig. Chandelure spun away dizzily before collapsing.
"Chandelure is unable to battle, which means Arcanine wins!"
"And the first Pokemon to go down is Chandelure, making the battle 6 to 5 in Zeno's favor!"
Up on the big screen, Chandelure's picture faded out in the hexagonal shape. However, this battle wasn't even close to being over. In fact, it had just truly begun.
"Barbaracle, stand ready!" Clara sent out the Rock/Water type.
"Here we go again," I muttered. "Arcanine, give it everything you got! We both know not to underestimate them!"
Arcanine growled in agreement, crouching as the last of the fire died away, the forest that had once stood on the field now burnt to a crisp. Barbaracle took a couple steps forwards, feet crunching through the ash on the ground.
"Wash him away with Surf!" Clara ordered. "And use Rock Polish!"
Barbaracle slammed a hand into the ashes, a torrent of water cascading towards Arcanine.
"You're gonna have to tough through it," I grimaced. "Flare Blitz! As hot as you can!"
Fire surrounded Arcanine as he rushed forwards, the wave slamming against him. He struggled for a moment, the water quickly depriving him of his fire. Then, the fire erupted around Arcanine, blasting away the water. More surged in, slamming into Arcanine, but he held his ground where he stood, seemingly unaffected by the Surf.
"It looks to me that Arcanine just used Burn Up! A clever move to get himself out of a tricky situation!"
"Nice work buddy," I called out to him. "Extreme Speed!"
Arcanine blasted forwards, slamming into Barbaracle. Clara shook her head, shouting, "Razor Shell!" Barbaracle twisted around, swinging his blade with unusual speed, slashing Arcanine on his flank. Arcanine roared, sinking his fangs into Barbaracle's arm.
"Get him off with Stone Edge!" Clara commanded. "Then use Ancient Power!"
Barbaracle stomped on the ground, a giant stone slamming from the ground and into Arcanine's stomach, sending him up into the air. Fossils then began circling around him and he raised his arm, shooting them towards Arcanine.
"Flame Wheel!" I shouted. Arcanine spun himself into the wheel of fire, sending the fossils crashing to the ground.
"Water Gun!" Clara grinned. "Snipe him out of the air!"
Barbaracle shot several bursts of water, knocking Arcanine out of his Flame Wheel and he crashed to the ground. As he struggled to get to his feet, Barbaracle was there, aiming his Low Kick. It slammed into his side, sending him tumbling along the ashen ground.
"Don't let up for a second!" Clara ordered, slamming one foot forwards. "Stone Edge!"
"Flame Wheel!" I roared. "Straight into it! Let's GO!"
Arcanine heaved himself up, blazing forwards in a wheel of flames. Huge stones jutted from the ground, heading straight for Arcanine. One broke through the ground in front of Arcanine and he sped up it, speed increasing as he flew over the top of it.
"We've seen this before," Clara yelled. "Surf!"
Barbaracle swung his arm, directing the current of water to shoot upwards towards the fast descending Arcanine. It blasted against him, but the power of his flames was allowing him to cut through it.
Clara's eyes widened. "Razor Shell!"
Barbaracle side-stepped, slashing Arcanine away as he neared him. He crashed along the ground, barely able to get to his feet.
"Finish him," Clara said, nodding. "Fury Cutter."
Barbaracle began walking towards the struggling Arcanine, claws glowing green as they grew longer. Arcanine managed to stand, fixing Barbaracle with a glare. Then, the Rock type zoomed past him, slashing as he went, images of green streaks fading from the air. Arcanine fell forwards, stirring up the ash covered ground. Barbaracle straightened and began to walk back towards his trainer, when an orange aura blasted around Arcanine.
"This again," Clara growled. "Didn't work before and it won't now!"
"One last attack," I breathed in. "Arcanine, Reversal!"
Arcanine shot to his feet, turning to face Barbaracle, who readied two Razor Shells. They ran for one another. Just as they neared one another, I yelled, "Slide along the ground!" Arcanine obeyed, dropping to his stomach, tripping Barbaracle just as the Rock type was preparing a Low Kick. He slammed into the ground faces first and fainted. Arcanine roared, then collapsed as well.
"Arcanine and Barbaracle are both unable to battle!"
"With an epic final stand, Arcanine manages to take down a Pokemon he would normally be super weak to! With both Pokemon having fainted, Zeno keeps his one Pokemon lead on his rival!"
"Mimi, come back out," I said, bringing out the Ghost/Fairy once again.
"Bisharp, show them no mercy," Clara ordered as the Steel type clanged his blades together, staring menacingly at Mimi. "Night Slash!"
"Counter with Shadow Claw!" I yelled.
Mimi lunged, her shadowy claw clashing with Bisharp's blades. Then, he ducked and raked his blades upwards, slashing his opponent. Mimi cried in pain as she tumbled along the ground. Bisharp was merciless, already moving in for another attack
"Shadow Sneak!" I shouted. "Get out of there!"
"Oh no you don't!" Clara yelled. "Bisharp, Metal Sound on the ground!"
Bisharp clanged his arms close to the ground, the irritating noise spreading across the battlefield. Mimi cried as she appeared out of the shadows feet away from Bisharp.
"Now use Metal Claw!"
Bisharp slashed Mimi again and again before kicking her away. She struggled to stand, a shaking Shadow Claw emerging from beneath her disguise.
"Mimi!" I shouted, eyes widening. "Shadow Sneak!"
Mimi tried, but Bisharp was faster, slamming her into the ground. She lay there, fainted as Bisharp stepped away.
"Mimikyu is unable to battle, which means Bisharp wins!"
"Return," I sighed, sucking her back into her pokeball. "You did well, Mimi. Next time, next time." I flicked another pokeball in the air, sending out my third Pokemon. "Bisharp, let's show them the cultivation of our training!"
"Ah, there you are," Clara grinned. "Bisharp, let's see how far he's come! Metal Claw!"
"You too, Bisharp!" I ordered. "Metal Claw!"
Both Bisharps ran at each other, their blades clashing with loud clanging noises. A blade swung low, only to be blocked and countered with a strike coming from the side. Bisharp twisted his body, the blade striking against his side as he swung his leg up.
"Let's play dangerously," Clara smirked. "Guillotine!"
Her Bisharp leaped away from mine, his blades elongating to impossible lengths, glowing brightly.
"Don't get hit!" I yelled to my Bisharp. "Guillotine!"
"This is certainly a dangerous game they're playing here folks! One false step and it's OVER!"
The Bisharp's clashed once more, each blade pressed up against the other. They struggled for a minute, my Bisharp starting to lose his footing. Then, "Grab him!" Clara's Bisharp ducked and slammed himself into my Bisharp, clamping his arms around his middle. He ran before jumping and smashing his opponent into the ground. The Guillotine faded away as Clara's Bisharp raised his blade.
"Night Slash!" I yelled quickly and Bisharp raised both blades, trying to hold back the Guillotine. I heard a large CRACK and the Guillotine slashed against Bisharp, making him faint instantly.
"Zeno's Bisharp is unable to battle, which means Clara's Bisharps wins again!"
"And Clara takes back the advantage! Now it's 4 to 3 in the Brutal Brawler's favor! And because three of Zeno's Pokemon have been defeated, we will now change the battlefield!"
As I returned my Pokemon and Clara's Bisharp returned to his trainer's side, the burnt forest field lowered back down into the ground.
"They seem to like calling me the Brutal Brawler," Clara called over to me, shrugging. "I guess I don't mind it."
"It suits you," I nodded, smiling. "Though, I'm afraid this "Mysterious Foreigner" will have to defeat you. After all, I need to show that I can beat you this time."
"Heh," Clara shook her head, laughing as she smiled. "Zeno, you really are the best of rivals." She held up her fist as the new field rose. "I guess it's time for us to stop holding back."
"Yeah," I held up my pokeball as the rocky field latched into place. "I think it is." I pulled my arm back, launching the pokeball. "Let's go, Decidueye!" My Arrow Quill Pokemon appeared on the battlefield, brushing his wings of dust. He lifted his head, the eyes appearing beneath the shadow of his leaf hood narrowing.
"Let's make sure there's no escape," I thrust out my hand. "Spirit Shackle!"
Decidueye held up his left wing, drawing back a ghostly arrow, which shot towards Bisharp.
"Dodge it," Clara said and Bisharp leaped to one side. However, the arrow turned sharply and hit Bisharp's shadow. The Steel type fell to one knee in pain, a ghostly force surrounding him for a second before disappearing.
"That's the way to do it," I grinned. "Now Feather Dance!"
Decidueye ruffled his feathers before bending his knees and taking off to the sky. He soared towards Bisharp, dousing him in feathers, lowering his attack.
"Guillotine, quick!" Clara shouted. "While's he's close!"
Bisharp lunged forwards, swinging his large glowing blades. Decidueye hovered for him, the blades passing right through him.
"What!?" Clara took a step back, stunned.
"Simple misdirection," I smirked. "I never did tell you what his typings were. Decidueye, Phantom Force!"
Decidueye sank into a pool of shadows as Bisharp glanced around, blades at the ready.
"Ghost type then," Clara growled. "Bisharp, be ready with Night Slash!"
"NOW!" I shouted and Decidueye appeared from above, soaring downwards while surrounded by ghostly energy. He slammed into Bisharp, knocking the Steel type away.
"Night Slash!" Clara yelled and Bisharp lunged forwards, swinging his blades.
"Leaf Blade!" I grinned as Decidueye swung his arms up, blocking Bisharp's attack and moved in for his own. He slashed downwards and sideways, managing to get a couple hits in before Bisharp began blocking.
"Razor Leaf!" I shouted. "Get back over here!"
Decidueye flung dozens of sharp leaves, forcing Bisharp to retreat as Decidueye flew back towards me. He glanced at me and I nodded. "Prepare your attack." He cooed and turned to face Bisharp, spreading his wings as his body began to glow.
"Laser Focus!" Clara yelled. "Then use Night Slash!"
Bisharp narrowed his eyes, locking on Decidueye. Then he sprung forwards, dark blades growing longer.
"Take him out!" I shouted. "Sky Attack!"
Decidueye leaped into the sky and zoomed towards Bisharp. They collided with an explosion, Decidueye skidding out of it on both feet, brushing off dust on his feathers as Bisharp collapsed.
"Bisharp is unable to battle, which means Decidueye wins!"
"It looks like to me you shouldn't underestimate Alolan Pokemon! Having the maneuverability of a Flying type but having the typing of Grass/Ghost makes for a dangerous combination!"
"I'll admit, that caught me by surprise," Clara said, cracking her knuckles. "But now I know what to do." She held up a pokeball and sent out her Heliolisk. "Electric Terrain!"
"She's going to use that plan then," I narrowed my eyes as the field crackled with electricity. "Decidueye, Razor Leaf then Phantom Force!"
Decidueye shot a barrage of sharp leaves towards Heliolisk before disappearing into the shadows.
"Rising Voltage!" Clara shouted and the field exploded with electrical energy, incinerating the leaves before they reached Heliolisk.
"Leaf Blade!" I shouted. "Phantom style!"
Decidueye appeared behind Heliolisk, slashing his back before disappearing into the shadows before the Electric type could retaliate.
"Eerie Impulse," Clara set her gaze, determined. "Find him."
Heliolisk closed his eyes, frills open as electricity sparked around him. He ignored two consecutive attacks from the Grass type before blasting a spot to his left with Thunderbolt, striking Decidueye as he appeared from the Phantom Force. He was blasted backwards, slamming into a rock.
"Rising Voltage!" Clara roared and Decidueye cried out as the field exploded with energy, shocking him with insane power.
"Sucker Punch!" I shouted and Decidueye forced himself up and sprung forwards, swinging his wing.
"Quick Attack!"
Heliolisk ducked and kicked out, striking Decidueye in the middle.
"We've mostly been a attacking from a distance every time Heliolisk battled," Clara smirked. "Time for a change! Fire Punch!"
Heliolisk lunged for Decidueye, slamming a fiery fist into his face, blasting him back again. Decidueye stumbled, shaking his head as he tried to open his eyes, but couldn't.
"Now he's blinded!" Clara shouted. "Thunder Punch!"
Both of Heliolisk's fists sparked with electricity as he sprung forwards, punching Decidueye back again. He fell to one knee and I knew he wouldn't be able to keep this up as he continued to try and force his eyes open.
"Decidueye," I shouted, a plan forming. "Fly up and close your hood!"
Decidueye flew into the sky, closing his hood, completely blocking his vision.
"You can't escape from us up there!" Clara yelled. "Thunderbolt!"
"Dodge to the left!" I shouted and Decidueye flew that way, barely dodging the Thunderbolt. "You'll have to use your ears if your eyes fail you! And I'll be right here to help! Fly higher!"
Decidueye flew higher as another bolt of electricity streaked by. Then, a better idea sprung to mind.
"Decidueye," I grinned. "Spirit Shackle the battlefield, as much as you can!"
"What are you thinking!?" Clara seemed aghast. "That'll have no effect!"
Decidueye fired arrow after arrow rapid-fire style, each one striking the rocky surface of the battlefield. Soon, Heliolisk would have no choice but to run through them. Decidueye, tired from that, flew back down onto the battlefield, raising his head in defiance.
"Fire Punch!" Clara shouted. "Let's finish him!"
Heliolisk ran for Decidueye, this next attack for sure to finish the job. As he ran, he passed straight through the arrows planted in the ground, not bothering with them at all.
"You can sense them can't you as a Ghost!" I thrust out my hand. "That's all you need! Leaf Storm!"
Decidueye knelt, thrusting both wings outwards. A storm of leaves shot forwards, battering against Heliolisk and sending him crashing along the ground through more of the arrows.
"Leaf Blade!" I shouted and Decidueye ran forwards, slashing Heliolisk as he tried to stand.
"Rising Voltage!" Clara roared.
"Brave Bird!" I shouted.
Decidueye blasted forwards, a blue aura surrounding him. Heliolisk's frills shot open and the field began to spark before exploding. When the dust settled, Decidueye lay fainted behind Heliolisk, all the arrows sticking out of the ground fading away as the Electric type still stood.
"Decidueye is unable to battle, which means Heliolisk wi-!"
Heliolisk let out a cry of pain, then collapsed, cutting off the judge's words.
"And both Pokemon are unable to battle! That means both Clara and Zeno are on equal terms with only two Pokemon left each! This battle seems like it can either way at this point!"
"Clever trick," Clara looked happily surprised. "But tricks like that won't save you all the time." She opened her fifth pokeball, releasing a Pokemon I had never seen her use before.
"Alright Druddigon," Clara said as the Dragon type roared. "Let's unleash your raw power!"
"Mawile, let's go," I called her out. "Fairy against Dragon. Looks like we have the advantage, so let's go first! Fairy Wind!"
Mawile swung her arm, a pink wind blasting towards Druddigon.
"Use Dig to dodge!" Clara commanded her Druddigon and he tore into the earth, disappearing beneath the ground.
"Keep an eye out for him!" I shouted, but just as Mawile glanced around, the earth cracked beneath her feet and Druddigon reared up, knocking Mawile into the air.
"Metal Claw!" Clara shouted and Druddigon slashed Mawile in the middle, slamming her into a rock.
"Iron Head on the rock!" I shouted. "And use Fairy Wind!"
Mawile slammed her back jaw back into the rock she had slammed into and broke it completely. The Fairy Wind then swept up the shattered pieces and they battered against Druddigon.
"Now use Play Rough!" I commanded Mawile. She lunged for Druddigon, kicking, biting, and punching.
"Slam her to the ground with Superpower!" Clara roared. Druddigon roared alongside her, a powerful reddish-orange aura surrounding him as he grabbed Mawile with one clawed hand and slammed her into the ground. The earth cracked, Mawile gasping at the sudden pain.
"Now use Iron Head!" Clara ordered and Druddigon slammed his head into Mawile, breaking the earth beneath her further. "Again!"
"Iron Head!" I shouted desperately. Mawile swung her head to meet Druddigon's, but hers was weaker compared to his and flinched at the attack. However, the damage did make an impact as Druddigon took a step backwards, shaking his head.
"Now Fairy Wind!" I shouted.
Mawile blasted her opponent with the wind and leaped out of the hole. She jumped back a couple more feet, keeping her distance.
"Don't let her escape!" Clara commanded. "Metal Claw!"
Druddigon lumbered after Mawile, swinging his razor sharp claws. Mawile was managing to dodge each attack, but I noticed Druddigon was trying to drive her into a corner in between a couple big rocks.
"Forwards!" I shouted. "Power-Up Punch!"
Mawile caught Druddigon by surprise, landing a solid punch in his middle. Mawile seemed to wince as her fist scraped against his scales, but ignored it and leaped above the Dragon type.
"Iron Head!" I yelled.
"You too Druddigon!" Clara shouted.
Mawile swung down her back jaw, slamming against Druddigon's head, both attacks evenly powerful now. Mawile leaped back and ran in again, this time striking all over his body. She managed to push him back several feet before he struck her with Metal Claw. She tumbled through the dirt and leapt to her feet.
"Play Rough!" I shouted.
"Superpower!" Clara roared. "Crush her!"
As Mawile leaped, Druddigon closed his arms around her, squeezing her in a super powerful hug. She cried out as he squeezed harder.
"C'mon!" I shouted. "Your back jaw!"
Her back jaw swung up, latching onto his arm, making him cry out in pain as his grip relaxed slightly. She took advantage of that moment and swung herself up, kicking Druddigon in the face. Her back jaw let go of his arm as she swung towards him, punching him in the chest and slamming her head into his chin. With one final flip and a back jaw against his forehead, Druddigon collapsed, unable to battle on any further.
"Druddigon is unable to battle, which means Mawile wins!"
"A brutal brawl that ends in Druddigon's defeat means Zeno is back in the lead. But even with Clara on her last Pokemon, we can't help but think this is a bad thing for Zeno! If her last Pokemon is what we think it is, Zeno is in for a lot of trouble! Can he persevere!?"
"He's right you know," Clara returned Druddigon. "This is where you fall Zeno, no question about it. Now then, my rival," She held up her last pokeball. "Time to show you all what we've learned throughout our journey! Scizor, let's destroy them!"
Scizor appeared on the battlefield, clanging his metal pincers together. He glared at Mawile, crouching slightly.
"Mawile," I said. "Fairy Wind!"
"Blast right through it!" Clara roared. "Bullet Punch!"
Scizor ran forwards, punching the air and blasting the pink wind apart. Once he reached Mawile, he began battering her with Bullet Punch, slamming her backwards.
"Now Fury Cutter!"
Scizor raised one pincer, slamming it on her head before swinging his other pincer, catching her in the middle and sent her crashing at my feet.
As I knelt to return her, the judge called out, "Mawile is unable to battle, which means Scizor wins!"
"AMAZING! Once again Scizor proves why he is an unstoppable force of raw strength! Now Zeno is on his last Pokemon as well! Does he have any possible hope at winning!?"
"Clara," I nodded at her, smiling. "I have no intention of losing here. I said I would come at you with all I got, so I will." I threw my last Pokemon out and he slammed a fist into the ground as his gaze met Scizor's. "Me and Lucario will beat you!"
Clara's grin grew wider. "Now that's what I'm talking about." She held up her hand, motioning for us to come at her. "Bring it!"
I sucked in a breath, then released it as I unhooked my knife and flipped it into the air. I caught it, hilt facing forwards. I pressed my thumb against the Keystone, light connecting me and Lucario. "Our fighting spirit will never diminish, our bond never wavering." Lucario raised his fists as the light enveloped him, making his body grow taller, his head appendages floating in the power of his aura. "Your past is forgiven and your future awaits with blinding light. So then, Lucario! Let your aura blaze and Mega Evolve!"
Alain sat forwards in his seat, eager to see just how much Lucario had improved since their battle. Ash grinned widely, anticipating the fight to come while Alex clasped her hands together, praying for Zeno's success.
Lucario howled, the light bursting away as the Mega Symbol burned in the air for a second before being whisked away by the wind. Lucario slammed his fists together, each one glowing brightly. He blasted forwards, appearing above Scizor, slamming a fist downwards. Then, Scizor's pincer swung up, catching the fist in mid-air, stopping the attack. He swung Lucario away who landed on both feet, growling.
"He's definitely strong," Clara nodded appreciatively. "But we can be so much stronger." She reached into her pocket, producing a chain necklace and let it drop while holding it from the top. A small metal object in the shape of Scizor's pincer hung from it, within its grasp a small orb. Clara flicked the chain up, fingers curling around the orb as it swung up. "Scizor, find your true power within!" Light burst from the orb and connected to a small orb on the very tip of Scizor's middle antenna. "Our courage, our determination, our strength! Push it all to the limits and Mega Evolve!"
Light enveloped Scizor before blasting away. His pincers had now become sharper with teeth-like objects and his body had become more straight with sharp edges. He opened and closed his pincers, making loud scissor noises with them.
"This is unexpected! Scizor has now Mega Evolved, which means his power has just increased by an insane amount! If he was strong enough to take down Mega Evolved Pokemon before, what chance does Lucario stand!?"
"This fight will take all we have to win," I warned Lucario. "Don't hold back, not for one second. We both know what we're up against." Lucario growled in agreement, his aura flaring around him. "Now then, Bone Rush!"
Lucario immediately formed two bones and rushed forwards, swinging one low while bringing the other one down in an arc. Scizor disappeared, appearing in front of Lucario, bashing him with furiously fast punches. Lucario took a couple steps back before rushing in with his Bullet Punches. Their fists were so fast it was impossible to see them. After ten seconds of this, both of their heads snapped back and they leaped away from each other. Just as quick, Scizor rushed back in, swinging his glowing pincers. Lucario slammed both fists into the ground, his aura pushing his opponent back.
Scizor skidded along the ground, his razor sharp feet scratching grooves in the earth. His wings fluttered and he slammed both pincers together, slicing the air towards Lucario, blowing away his aura. Lucario leaped back again, right foot being set ablaze. Scizor's wings fluttered more rapidly now, dark clouds forming overhead as rain began pouring down. Lucario blasted forwards, twisting his body to slam his fiery foot into Scizor's side. The Bug type manipulated the air, blowing out Lucario's weakened fire and his foot slammed into Scizor with less power. He then grabbed Lucario's ankle and crunched down, swinging him up and slammed him into the ground, splashing up mud.
Lucario slammed both elbows into the mud, heaving Scizor into the air. His opponent buzzed his wings, forcing Lucario to lift with all his strength. Finally, he managed to toss Scizor into the air and Lucario took that opportunity to scrambled back and onto his feet. Scizor landed back on the ground, eyes narrowing. He swung himself forwards like a living weapon, swinging his legs and snapping his pincers. Lucario formed one long bone, trying to block each attack. When he tried to blast Scizor away with his aura, Scizor responded by blowing it away with Air Slash. Finally, Scizor slammed a pincer into Lucario's stomach, knocking him ten feet away, skidding through the mud.
Scizor ran for him, pincers crossed and glowing green. Lucario formed a sphere of energy, blasting it as Scizor, but he simply shrugged it off and slammed into him. He then struck Lucario over and over with Fury Cutter, wearing the Fighting type down. Lucario drew back his head, blasting Scizor a couple feet back with Dragon Pulse. He formed another long bone, planting it in the ground and using to swing around it, gaining momentum. He used that and slammed himself into Scizor, blasting him with punches and kicks.
With a blast of metallic energy, Lucario was blasted off of Scizor and crashed into the mud again. Scizor got to his feet as the rain began to peter away. With a chance in sight, Lucario's foot set ablaze and he lunged forwards, swinging his foot. He managed to slam it into Scizor, but he quickly countered with Air Slash and Double Hit, making Lucario stumbled backwards. Then he did another Rain Dance, bringing back the rain.
"We can't do much against her," I thought, seeing for myself just how powerful her Scizor had gotten. Lucario was getting weaker much faster than his opponent and it was showing. We need to be able to get in a couple of Blaze Kicks, that might be the only way to beat Scizor, but with Rain Dance in effect, it won't do much. "Lucario, Extreme Speed!"
Lucario sprang forwards, battering Scizor with a flurry of kicks and punches. Scizor responded with Bullet Punch, kicking Lucario away. A wave of aura blasted towards him and he sliced through with Air Slash, forcing away the rain for a moment.
"That's it," I realized, then set my gaze. "Lucario! Channel your aura!"
Lucario's head appendages rose into the air as his aura thickened around him, forming some sort of shield. Scizor punched it, repelled. He struck again and again, trying to force his way through. With each strike, he got a little closer.
"Not yet!" I shouted. "Hold it!"
"Fury Cutter!" Clara yelled. "Finish him!"
Each strike with his pincer made the attack stronger and he began tearing through the aura. Then finally, Lucario let it all go, blasting the aura across the whole stadium, literally knocking the hats off of the audience. Scizor flew backwards, stopping himself on all fours in the mud. Above them, the rain clouds were blown away, the rain stopping immediately.
"Now!" I yelled. "Blaze Kick!"
Lucario slid his right foot back, setting it ablaze. He ran forwards, leaping into the air. He twirled, bring it crashing down on Scizor. The Bug type knocked him away, his armor singed. He tried to muster up another Rain Dance, but Lucario slammed a bone into his back, bending his wings. Scizor cried out, then his eyes blazed with fury. He lunged, grabbing both of Lucario's arms, crunching down tightly. Lucario howled in pain, kicking Scizor furiously until he was set free.
Lucario leaped back, trying to raise his arms, but he couldn't lift them that high. He was breathing heavily now, Scizor advancing on him with the intent of finishing him off. Lucario knelt on one knee, breathing in slowly as he closed his eyes. His aura began swirling around him and blasted outwards, but Scizor slashed it apart, springing forwards. Lucario lifted his head with a growl, swinging his body up and slamming his foot into Scizor's chin. Lucario leaped away, sliding one foot back in the mud as far as it would go.
I breathed out, matching Lucario's breathing rate. I could feel his aura pulsing around us. "Blaze." Lucario's foot burst into flames and he rocketed forwards. He swung into Scizor's right, who sliced the air. Lucario swung his foot in an arc to avoid the Air Slash, bringing it crashing down towards Scizor's head.
"KICK!" I roared as Scizor raised both pincers, trying to hold him back with X-Scissor as his foot slammed into him. Lucario howled, the flames growing bigger and hotter, turning a flaming blue as the tips of the fire sharpened in intensity. Scizor's feat dug into the mud as he forced himself to stay upright. With a burst of a fiery explosion, Scizor's hold broke and Lucario's foot slammed down into his head. The explosion rocked the stadium, blasting smoke high up into the sky.
As it began to clear, Lucario was revealed, having fallen to his knees and having reverted back to his regular form. Scizor rose from the fading smoke, turning towards Lucario. His eyes flashed as he drew back a pincer, a green aura surrounding it. He swung it in an arc towards his head, then stopped right above it, the aura fading. Scizor's body creaked and groaned as he tried to force his pincer down, but his wobbling legs gave way and he fell forwards, collapsing to Lucario's right.
The crowd roared with cheers and shouts. The judge's and announcer's voices were drowned out by the noise as Lucario stood on shaky legs. I trudged through the mud towards him, wrapping him in a hug, careful not to touch his arms.
"That was amazing," I breathed. "You did so well." Lucario hrred contently and let his chin settle on my shoulder. I pulled out his pokeball and held it up. "Get a good rest, you've earned it." Once he was returned, I stood to face Clara, who had made her way over. She knelt and lifted up Scizor, who had returned back to normal, and lifted his pincer over her shoulder. She raised her gaze to meet mine.
"That was an amazing battle," she said, giving me a sad smile. "Thank you for being my rival, Zeno. No, thank you for being my friend." She turned without letting me say a word and began trudging back through the mud, not bothering to return Scizor. Then, "Win the league, Zeno. I expect you to do that much at least." Then she left, not even once faltering under her Pokemon's weight.
Super long chapter with an epic finale to Zeno's and Clara's long awaited rematch. Zeno moves onto the Final Round, but not before Ash and Alain have to face off. Next chapter, "Clash of Wills", where Ash and Alain's battle is redone from the anime in my signature writing style and hopefully unique approach. Would you believe me if I said even I didn't know who's going to win this battle? So, until then! Toodles!
