Something entirely unexpected occurred. The Poké Ball in Leon's hand expanded for a split second before shrinking back to its original size, the Dynamax energy fizzling out into nothingness.
Ash's Z-Ring, after an initial flash of brilliance, went dark, refusing to react to his movements.
Only Cynthia's Garchomp successfully underwent the transformation.
The colorful, double-helix genetic patterns of Mega Evolution swirled around the dragon before shattering like glass.
When the light dissipated, Mega Garchomp stood ready, its body larger and more lethal, bone spurs erupting from its abdomen and knees, and its arm-wings sharpened into brutal, sickle-like blades.
"What's wrong with your systems?" Cynthia asked, looking at her companions in confusion.
Leon stared grimly at the overhead dragon. "It must be because of him."
Dynamaxing requires Power Spots and Dynamax Bands, both of which utilize the energy emitted by Eternatus.
It was naive to think they could use the creature's own power against it while it was in a state of active absorption.
As for the Z-Move, Ash guessed the reason: "The surrounding natural energy is being so violently disturbed by Eternatus that the Z-Power can't manifest."
With Dynamax and Z-Moves disabled, and only Cynthia possessing the Mega Evolution system, they had no choice but to bite the bullet.
"Pidgeot, it's up to you!" Ash called out.
"Even without Gigantamax, my Charizard won't lose! Go!" Leon commanded.
The orange-red Charizard spread its wings and soared into the darkening sky, the massive brown Pidgeot galloping through the air alongside it.
Cynthia commanded Mega Garchomp to follow. Although Mega Evolution had vastly increased Garchomp's power, the loss of its sleek wing membranes made it slightly slower in flight compared to the two aerial speedsters leading the charge.
"Air Slash!" Ash and Leon commanded in unison.
Two blades of white light fell like a violent storm, slamming into Eternatus's massive, skeletal frame.
"Dragon Claw!" Cynthia cried.
An emerald-green glow enveloped Garchomp's scythes. It dived beneath the legendary beast, crossing its blades to carve a massive cross-shaped wound into Eternatus's hard purple exoskeleton.
"ROAR!!!"
Eternatus let out a scream of pure agony. The speed at which it was absorbing Galar Particles visibly slowed. Suddenly, a pulse of raw energy exploded from its core.
While Pidgeot and Charizard were agile enough to dodge, Mega Garchomp, locked in close-range combat, was blasted backward by the overwhelming shockwave.
Before Cynthia could check on her Pokémon, the core in Eternatus's abdomen emitted a terrifying purple-red light.
A massive pillar of energy—a Dynamax Cannon—erupted, aimed directly at the top of the arena where Cynthia stood.
The wind whipped Cynthia's hair as death stared her in the face. She subconsciously closed her eyes, bracing for the end.
After several seconds, there was no impact. Instead, she felt herself pulled into a warm, firm embrace. When she opened her eyes, she was in Ash's arms, floating in the sky.
He had grabbed her just in time, leaping onto the back of his own Charizard.
Leon had also taken to the air on his Dragapult. Below them, the summit of the Hammerlocke Stadium had been vaporized. That move alone could have leveled a mountain.
"Miss Cynthia, are you all right?"
Cynthia snapped out of her shock. She realized she was being held in a "princess carry" by Ash. A deep flush crept across her cheeks—a sensation she hadn't experienced since she was a teenager.
She was always the "strong woman," the unshakable Champion of Sinnoh, yet in this moment, she felt remarkably weak and protected.
[The World's Reaction]
[Caitlin: Did you see that?! Cynthia, you actually made that expression! Hahaha!]
[Cynthia: …]
[Cynthia: Do you understand the suspension bridge effect? When people are in a dangerous situation, their heart rate increases, and they experience shortness of breath. This physiological fear is often misinterpreted as romantic attraction. My face was red because of the danger, Caitlin. Read a book.]
[Dr. Oak: Scientific fact—while the suspension bridge effect is real, the "hero saving the beauty" trope usually results in the beauty's heart actually sinking for the hero.]
Cynthia looked at the screen in disbelief. How could the respectable Dr. Oak say something so "vicious" to her reputation!
[Norman: Ahem, the situation on the field is getting worse. Let's focus on the inventory!]
In the footage
Ash gently placed Cynthia on Charizard's back. He didn't notice her blushing; his eyes were fixed solely on the rampaging Eternatus.
"Miss Cynthia, stay steady," Ash said solemnly. "Eternatus has completely given up on absorbing particles; it's now focused entirely on destroying us.
My Aura can't communicate with it at all. It has no thought, only rage. We have to defeat it to even have a chance at talking."
Cynthia composed herself, her serious demeanor returning. "You're right, Ash. If you want to reach it, we have to knock it down first!"
The three Champions began a desperate siege. Meanwhile, on the other side of the facility, Gary Oak had already systematically defeated Chairman Rose's Copperajah and Ferrothorn.
Even Olive, who had rushed to intervene with her Milotic, had been soundly defeated by Gary's Electivire.
Gary looked down at the two fallen executives with cold mockery. "You really thought you could master Eternatus at your level? One blast from that thing and there'd be nothing left of you. Didn't you feel the tremors? That's Ash fighting a god. You're just in the way."
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