Meanwhile, Charizard unleashed scorching energy of its own.
Its crimson eyes burned as endless flames erupted from its body. Blazing fire wrapped around both of Charizard's claws, condensing into two massive flame blades.
The surrounding trees had already been scorched black by the heat alone.
Charizard spun violently through the sky, forming a gigantic rotating flame blade.
WHOOOSH! WHOOOSH! WHOOOSH!
CRACKLE! KRAK!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The gale roared.
Lightning exploded.
Flames surged across the sky.
A crimson flaming blade nearly ten meters long appeared overhead.
...
The blazing flame blade and Gyarados's domineering Thunder Dragon Claw struck the giant blue energy bird at the same time.
BOOOOOOM!!!
A massive explosion erupted high in the sky.
The terrifying shockwave spread outward like a violent storm.
BZZZZZZT!
Smoke billowed everywhere as flames scattered through flashing lightning, rolling thunder, and flying sparks.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Dark clouds churned overhead as thunder continued to rage.
Rain poured down relentlessly.
The fierce wind and heavy rain gradually scattered the smoke, revealing the battlefield once more.
Charizard and Gyarados hovered in the sky, both panting heavily.
Burn marks covered their bodies, and several scales had been torn away.
Blood streamed down them, making them look badly battered.
Across from them, Skarmory's armor had been scorched black.
Scorching flames and violent lightning still crackled across its body.
CRACKLE... KRAK...
"SKREEE..."
Weakness filled Skarmory's eyes.
It let out one final cry before its body dropped from the sky.
BANG!
It slammed heavily into the cold ground.
Its life aura vanished completely.
Skarmory had fallen!!
...
One Pokémon after another had been defeated.
One after another had died.
By now, Moss had already moved to the old man's side.
Grandfather and grandson stood there silently, staring at Gyarados circling among the flame clouds and Charizard hovering proudly in the sky.
Aaron stood atop Gyarados's head, wrapped in golden aura, like a figure from myth riding a dragon through the storm.
Powerful.
Radiant.
Almost untouchable.
Then the dark clouds slowly parted, and a shaft of sunlight fell across him.
For a moment, the golden aura around him seemed to merge with the light itself. He no longer looked entirely human.
He looked like something out of legend.
Moss stared at him in a daze and quietly asked,
"Grandpa... do you think gods really exist in this world?"
"I mean... gods born as humans."
A strange look flickered through the old man's eyes as he stared at the solemn figure in the sky.
"I don't know..."
"But if they do..."
"Maybe Aaron really could become one."
Then he looked toward Moss and sighed softly.
"Moss... don't lose heart."
"Just take Aaron as the goal you keep chasing."
"I'm certain he's already one of the greatest monsters in the outside world. Losing to someone like him isn't shameful."
"Keep moving forward... even if I know you'll never truly catch him."
"But if you can stay close enough to see his taillights... that alone is already incredible."
Moss froze for a second.
Then the corner of his mouth twitched.
"Grandpa... your way of comforting people really hurts."
The old man chuckled softly, a complicated look appearing in his cloudy eyes.
"Moss... being born in the same era as a monster like him is both a blessing and a tragedy."
"Aaron is destined to become the sun of this era."
"Everyone else will only shine beneath his light."
"He'll overshadow all of you..."
Moss stayed silent.
He simply stared at the figure in the sky as determination slowly appeared in his eyes.
"Aaron... I won't give up."
"One day, I'll catch up to you."
Seeing the determination in Moss's eyes, the old man smiled in relief.
Then he looked back toward Aaron and muttered,
"A god born from humanity...?"
"Maybe one really will appear someday..."
"…"
Then he turned toward his own Scizor, and the corner of his mouth twitched violently.
"Kid Aaron!!"
"Could you stop posing for two seconds and help my Scizor already!?"
"That crazed Aggron is about to smash it to pieces!!"
...
At that moment, the dark clouds finally cleared, revealing a vast blue sky.
Sunlight poured down across the battlefield.
Standing atop Gyarados's head, Aaron remained wrapped in golden aura, radiating an overwhelming presence.
His gaze slowly shifted toward Titan's final Pokémon.
Aggron.
The first Pokémon to enter the battle and the one that had lasted until the very end.
It really had fought hard.
Aaron calmly spoke to his Pokémon.
"Let's go."
"It's time to finish this battle."
"GRAAAAH!"
Gyarados roared and charged toward Aggron.
"ROOOAR!"
Charizard roared as well and followed close behind.
Sceptile leaped onto the giant wooden golem's shoulder, controlling it as it strode forward step by step.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Each step made the ground tremble.
"Snoor!!"
Snorlax's feet transformed into springs as it launched itself forward.
"BZZZZZZ!"
Black Shinigami had nearly recovered completely.
It buzzed loudly, spread its wings, and shot into the sky.
"Nape!"
Infernape, its body flickering with aura and lightning, stepped forward as well and walked toward the battlefield.