"My choice is…"
Silas's expression turned serious, his gaze sharpening as he entered battle mode. A Poké Ball was thrown toward the battlefield.
"Noivern, I'm counting on you."
"Noi~"
Accompanied by a flash of white light, the massive Noivern appeared on one side of the battlefield. Its bat-like wings spread wide, releasing a terrifying aura as an invisible pressure swept across the field.
"S-so… so big! That Noivern is huge!"
Ilima exclaimed in shock, unable to help himself.
Noivern hovered at low altitude, its fully spread wings casting such a massive shadow that even the sunlight seemed to be blocked out. Just moments ago, Ilima had accidentally met Noivern's gaze—those vertical, yellow gemstone-like pupils—and his body had begun trembling uncontrollably. A pressure born from the very difference in life level crashed down on him. Though it lasted only an instant, it still left the outstanding student drenched in sweat, his clothes soaked through.
Are Trainers from the Kalos region all this terrifying…?
Ilima silently made up his mind that after graduating, he would travel to the Kalos region himself. But for now, it was time to watch the battle that was about to begin!
Kukui, wearing only a white lab coat on his upper body, tilted his head back to observe Noivern, revealing a broad grin full of white teeth.
Now this is interesting!
"Lycanroc, I'll leave it to you."
A wolf-like Pokémon with light brown fur leapt out of its Poké Ball and stood opposite Noivern. Facing the oppressive presence comparable to Intimidate radiating from Noivern, Lycanroc showed no fear at all, raising its head and letting out a defiant howl in response.
"Steadfast, huh?" Silas thought to himself.
Among Midday Form Lycanroc's three abilities, only Steadfast would be triggered by Intimidate, boosting its Speed as a result.
"Snap!" Silas confidently snapped his fingers and raised his hand to command, "Dragon Pulse—let's say hello."
Kukui's command followed almost immediately after, "Accelerock—interrupt it!"
The two orders were issued almost simultaneously. On the field, both Noivern and Lycanroc moved at once, demonstrating their absolute trust in their respective Trainers.
Accelerock, the signature move of Midday and Dusk Form Lycanroc, struck at blinding speed, making it extremely difficult for opponents to react. Lycanroc curled its body as Rock-type energy condensed and coated its surface. Then, with explosive speed, it charged toward Noivern, the friction between its rocky mane and the air producing sharp sizzling sounds.
In the blink of an eye, Lycanroc reached directly beneath Noivern and launched itself upward like a rocket blasting off, slamming into its target.
At such close range, the burst speed was something most Pokémon couldn't react to—and Noivern should have been no exception. And yet, Noivern didn't dodge at all. Instead, it met the attack head-on.
In close-quarters combat, a battle-hardened Noivern believed it would not lose to any Pokémon! Even if Garchomp showed up, it wouldn't matter—against a Pokémon that could use Dragon Dance, victory was assured.
BOOM!
Flesh collided with flesh as the two Pokémon slammed into each other, neither giving an inch. After a brief stalemate, they were both forced back.
Noivern flapped its wings twice, dispersing the recoil force, while Dragon-type energy gathered in its jaws and burst forth as a shockwave. The energy twisted into a distorted stream, resembling a ferocious dragon baring its fangs. Interwoven blue and purple dragon-shaped energy surged forward and smashed straight into Lycanroc.
In an instant, a small mushroom cloud exploded across the battlefield, accompanied by visible ripples spreading outward. Lycanroc was blasted backward by the terrifying impact, its hind legs digging into the ground and carving two deep claw marks. Its light brown fur stood on end under the violent energy surge, producing a soft rustling sound.
"Rrrgh!"
A low growl was forced from its throat as Lycanroc slid several meters backward before barely stabilizing itself. The rocky mane on its chest shattered under the impact.
After taking Noivern's full-powered Dragon Pulse head-on, Lycanroc was still in relatively decent condition.
"Lycanroc, can you still battle?" Kukui asked.
"Rrrwooo!"
Lycanroc shook its head and responded firmly.
"Good. Then—Stone Edge! Knock Noivern out of the sky!"
Lycanroc threw its head back and howled, its four paws pounding against the shattered stones as it charged forward like an arrow released from a bow. One after another, boulders the size of human heads condensed into shape and were hurled forward ahead of Lycanroc.
Hovering in midair, Noivern lightly flapped its wings, a trace of approval flashing through its gemstone-like dragon eyes.
Only an opponent like this was worthy of its full strength. With an impassioned dragon roar, the dragon blood within Noivern began to boil.
It paid no attention to the rocks flying straight at it.
After spending so much time together, Silas naturally understood Noivern's thoughts at this moment. Perhaps due to the effects of its Tempered state, compared to ranged attacks, Noivern preferred close combat—experiencing the raw thrill of blows exchanged at point-blank range. Of course, it also had a mischievous side. When facing opponents weaker than itself, Noivern liked to toy with them using its speed and aerial advantage.
"Jaw Lock!" Silas swung his arm decisively.
"Noi!"
Noivern responded with an excited dragon roar, folding its wings and diving like a high-speed fighter jet. The incoming rocks were either shattered by its assault or smashed apart upon hitting its body. The pain not only failed to slow Noivern down—it further fueled its ferocity.
Its movements grew increasingly savage and brutal, a blood-red sheen covering its pupils.
Noivern's dive was so fast it left afterimages behind, tearing through the air and producing a piercing, buzzing howl. The spectators watched in tense silence. Minccino covered its eyes with its tiny paws, peeking through the gaps between its fingers.
The final massive rock thrown by Lycanroc struck Noivern squarely, forcing a muffled grunt from its throat—and causing its speed to increase even further.
"Lycanroc, watch out!" Kukui shouted the moment the attack ended.
Unfortunately, it was already too late.
A massive black shadow descended like a collapsing mountain. Noivern's jaws opened wide, sharp fangs gleaming with cold light as it bit down ferociously, targeting Lycanroc's vulnerable spot.
"Rrrgh!"
Lycanroc's pupils contracted sharply as it instinctively twisted and rolled, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow. But Noivern seemed to have anticipated this all along. The near-instinctual, muscle-memory-like combat experience granted by countless battles guided its movements.
Its fangs sank deep into Lycanroc's body, light brown fur instantly stained red. With a powerful swing, Noivern hurled Lycanroc away. Lycanroc crashed to the ground, staggered back to its feet, and let out a suppressed growl as intense pain wracked its body.
Noivern flapped its wings and returned to the sky, its body enveloped in Dragon-type energy as surging battle intent locked firmly onto Lycanroc. Using Dragon Rush to finish opponents had already become Noivern's habit.
Dragon-type energy twisted around Noivern, forming distorted light and shadows as it transformed into a falling meteor. The momentum of this strike was even more terrifying than the earlier Dragon Pulse, as if it were about to pierce straight through the entire battlefield.
The battle was over.
The Pokémon that had been perched atop the rooftop vanished swiftly, disappearing back into the forest. No one noticed its presence—but Minccino tilted its head in confusion. Its tail flicked unconsciously; it still felt as though it was being watched. Yet when it turned around, there were no other Pokémon in sight.
Was it just an illusion?
Shaking off the distracting thoughts, Minccino excitedly rushed toward the victorious Noivern.
So amazing—Noivern is so amazing!
Once again, the emotional payoff was completely maxed out.
(End of Chapter)