The stadium was shaking from the cheers of thousands of spectators. Only two Pokémon remained. Infernarx and Mega Staraptor
Both were exhausted.Both were injured. Yet neither had any intention of falling.
Aero smiled.
"This is the battle I wanted."
Across the field,
Elior nodded.
"Then let's finish it properly."
"Mega Staraptor! Brave Bird!"
The giant bird Pokémon erupted with blue energy and shot forward.The force alone cracked the battlefield.
"Infernarx! Flame Charge!"
Infernarx exploded forward in a trail of fire.The two Pokémon collided head-on.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
The explosion shook the entire stadium.
Both Pokémon were thrown backward. But neither fell.
The crowd was on its feet.Even the commentators had stopped talking. Nobody wanted to miss a single second.
Aero clenched his fist.
"Partner...Let's fly higher than ever before!"
Mega Staraptor cried out. Its wings began gathering enormous amounts of energy.
Elior looked at Infernarx.The memories of their journey flashed before him.
The first day they met.The first Gym Badge.The defeats.The victories. Everything.
Both trainers shouted simultaneously.
"BRAVE BIRD!!"
"BLAZING NOVA!!"
Mega Staraptor became a streak of light descending from the sky.Infernarx transformed into a blazing inferno rising upward. Sky and fire. Wings and flames. Rival against rival.Partner against partner.
The attacks collided in the center of the battlefield.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
A pillar of light shot into the heavens.
The entire stadium disappeared beneath the explosion.
For several moments...Nobody could see anything.Then the smoke slowly began to clear.The crowd held its breath.
Mega Staraptor stood motionless. Infernarx stood motionless.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
A gust of wind swept across the battlefield.Mega Staraptor smiled.Then slowly collapsed.
THUD.
The referee immediately raised his flag.
"Mega Staraptor is unable to battle!The winner is Infernarx!Victory goes to Elior!"
The stadium exploded into cheers.
Aero recalled his partner.Despite the defeat—He was smiling.A genuine smile. He walked toward Elior. The two trainers stood face to face.Then shook hands.
"Looks like you won this time."
Elior laughed.
"Barely."
Aero smiled.
"Then win the whole League. Otherwise I'll never forgive you."
As the crowd celebrated Elior's victory...
Far away on Aether Isle... Zeff finally reached the chamber of the Third Key. The golden artifact floated before him.
Slowly...He reached out his hand.The Third Key began glowing.At the same moment—The First and Second Keys resonated.Across the island, ancient ruins awakened.And beneath the sea... Something colossal opened its eyes.A voice echoed through the darkness:
"The Three Keys have gathered...Aetherion shall awaken."
TO BE CONTINUED...