After Meganium fell, Ludicolo likewise failed to deal any significant damage to Hydreigon before losing the ability to battle.
Elite Four Sen let out a soft sigh, recalled Ludicolo, then sent out his next Pokémon with resolute eyes.
"Roserade, Weather Ball!"
The third Pokémon took the stage. It was none other than Sen's acknowledged ace!
That Roserade, born with exceptional perception.
At this moment, the sky was still overcast. The light drizzle transformed Weather Ball into clusters of blue water bombs, howling as they shot toward Hydreigon.
In the air, Hydreigon kept dodging the attacks. Most of the Weather Ball water blasts were cleanly avoided.
But Roserade had also made great progress over the past few years; its Weather Balls came faster and more numerous with each volley.
Carefully sensing the energy changes in the air, Sato quickly noticed that the missed Weather Balls allowed Roserade to recover nearly ninety percent of the energy, then convert it back into more Weather Balls.
Endless, relentless… completely unavoidable!
Even the rain itself seemed to be locked in place by Roserade, with so many water molecules suspended in the air. The rainy weather wouldn't dissipate at all.
What could one say?
As expected of an Elite Four's ace Pokémon, Roserade fully demonstrated the Grass-type specialty of long-term endurance, while also compensating for its usual lack of offensive power.
But defense eventually breaks. Hydreigon couldn't dodge forever.
So the counterattack began.
Instantly!
"Fire Blast, Draco Meteor, Fire Blast."
Three attack commands shouted in the sequence of one-two-one, each head of Hydreigon given its specific assignment.
Lefty opened its mouth and fired a halved Fire Blast, acting as a shield to block the incoming Weather Balls in front of Hydreigon.
Middy, in the center, looked up and roared. Dragon-type energy surged violently inside it, forming a concentrated energy orb launched into the sky.
Righty's Fire Blast followed right after. Just as the energy orb reached its highest point, the flame attack collided with it perfectly.
In that moment, dry brush met raging fire. Draco Meteor exploded spectacularly with the Fire Blast as catalyst.
...BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
The explosion of Draco Meteor tore through the earlier Fire Blast, and the flaming meteorites rained down across the entire battlefield!
Hydreigon's custom combo move, [Meteor Flame Shower]!
In the past, it had needed Heat Wave to stack the power. But now, its power had reached a completely different level. With Lefty free, it could cover and defend while the combo was safely unleashed!
In the face of the combo move [Meteor Flame Shower], the moisture in the air quickly evaporated. The last incoming Weather Ball shriveled and burst mid-flight.
But the [Meteor Flame Shower] wasn't done. The meteorites rained down like an apocalyptic storm, and Roserade couldn't find a place to hide!
The ground shook, flames ravaged, and the battlefield looked like a living hell. Yet Roserade, battered and scorched, stubbornly lifted its head.
SHE COULD STILL CONTINUE-
BOOM!
A shadow streaked by. Roserade was blasted backward, slamming hard into the outer wall of the battlefield.
It was Hydreigon's Dragon Rush, finishing it off in one decisive blow.
""""Hssssssssssss~~~""""""
A collective gasp rippled through the arena. Hydreigon truly lived up to the name "Dark Dragon"; it left no chance for counterattacks.
With that, Elite Four Sen also lost all three battles!
The match continued. Sen silently recalled Roserade and sent out his next Pokémon.
Sceptile!
Compared to three years ago, Sceptile had also made great progress, but aside from landing a single Dragon Claw with its explosive power, it followed the same fate… utterly shut down by [Meteor Flame Shower].
That was four down!
Looking at the slightly winded Hydreigon, everyone couldn't help but feel a sense of pity for Elite Four Sen.
Could it be… he would be the second "swept" Elite Four of the day?
A red light flashed, and Sen calmly recalled Sceptile.
He tossed out another Poké Ball, and the vibrant Shaymin Sky Form appeared on the battlefield.
Time could change many things, Honchkrow had clawed its way into Sato's main battle team.
And Shaymin, a Mythical Pokémon with immense potential, had also done the same. Surpassing Sen's former ace, Roserade!
"Shaymin, Sweet Scent!"
"Miin~"
The adorable Shaymin let out a soft cry, gently fanning its wing-like ears, and a mesmerizing aroma quickly spread across the battlefield.
Hydreigon sensed something was wrong. Faced with the scent-based move, it instinctively summoned Heat Wave to disperse the fragrance.
Orange Heat Wave swept across the field, instantly scattering the pink Sweet Scent.
But in the next moment, the spectators witnessed why Shaymin was indeed a rare and powerful Mythical Pokémon!
Under the ravaging Heat Wave, the Sweet Scent actually ignited, catalyzing into a unique aroma that smelled like honey and wine.
Before Hydreigon realized it, it had already inhaled the burning scent, and visible blushes appeared on its three heads. Even its six wings flapped noticeably slower.
"Dazzling Gleam!"
Sen's voice rang out again. Shaymin, weaving through the fragrant air, accelerated and closed in on Hydreigon.
In the next instant, a pink radiant light burst from Shaymin's body and blasted Hydreigon head-on!
Hydreigon immediately let out a painful shriek!
Under a 4x weakness, not even a Champion level Pokémon could avoid taking severe damage.
Amid the screams, an enraged roar echoed. It was Lefty, the first to recover from the searing pain.
Fire Fang!
Crunch!
Lefty seized the perfect moment and clamped down hard on Shaymin before it could retreat. Flames engulfed Shaymin, drawing another pained cry.
"SHAYMIN, AIR SLASH!"
Sen quickly gave a loud command, and Shaymin turned its head with effort, flapping its wings and firing off several Air Slashes!
Thanks to Sweet Scent, Hydreigon instinctively chose not to dodge. Just as it prepared to counterattack, it was struck by the Air Slash!
Serene Grace triggered. Air Slash's secondary effect activated: Flinch!
Hydreigon's body froze, unable to move a muscle.
In the next second, a second wave of Air Slash followed and landed squarely on Hydreigon.
But this time, Shaymin's luck ran out. Hydreigon gritted through the pain and charged forward once again.
Fire Blast x3!
Lefty, Righty, and Middy each unleashed a terrifying Fire Blast, blocking off every possible escape route for Shaymin.
The three Fire Blasts were about to converge and trap Shaymin completely.
Forced into a corner, Shaymin's entire body flared with intense light once again.
This time… it was the move it knew best, excelled at, and wielded with the most power.
Seed Flare!
Seed Flare erupted from Shaymin in all directions, pushing back the converging Fire Blasts with brute force.
But… that was all it could do.
With a deafening boom, Seed Flare and the triple Fire Blasts exploded at once, forcing everyone in the arena to shield their eyes from the blinding light.