The battle between dragon and leopard was about to begin.
Hydreigon hovered above the arena while Chien-Pao stood atop the snow below. Both stared down the other, their fighting spirit rising as each recognized the strength of its opponent.
"Chien-Pao, use Swords Dance!"
Frost made the first move.
"GRAAOW!"
Chien-Pao threw back its head with a fierce feline cry. Two spectral blades appeared beside its body and began circling through the air.
"Not happening!"
Liora immediately moved to interrupt it.
"Hydreigon, keep the Flamethrowers coming!"
A chorus of deep growls rumbled from Hydreigon's five throats.
Two of its heads opened their jaws at once.
Twin streams of scorching fire tore through the falling snow and raced toward Chien-Pao.
"Abandon Swords Dance! Dodge, then use Snowscape!"
Frost did not hesitate to change tactics.
With a base Speed of 135, Chien-Pao was exceptionally fast. It had also learned from Alolan Ninetales's defeat and knew that avoiding the first Flamethrower would not be enough.
It sprang away in a series of rapid leaps, slipping past both streams of fire.
"Rrraow!"
Chien-Pao landed in the snow and released a sharp yowl.
Ice-blue energy erupted from its body.
Heavy snow immediately began falling across the arena, thickening until the entire battlefield was covered in a white haze.
Snowscape strengthened the Defense of Ice-type Pokémon while also making it harder for Hydreigon to track Chien-Pao through the storm.
"Hydreigon, Sixfold Barrage!"
"GRAAAH!"
Two of Hydreigon's heads bellowed together and attacked simultaneously.
Each unleashed three separate beams of energy, sending six attacks streaking through the snow at once. They spread across the arena, cutting off every possible escape route around Chien-Pao.
"Use Ice Spinner to block them!"
Chien-Pao answered with a low, defiant snarl.
Ice gathered beneath its paws and rapidly spread around its body.
It began spinning at tremendous speed, becoming a whirling mass of snow and ice.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The six energy beams slammed into the rotating ice one after another, triggering a chain of violent explosions.
Yet Chien-Pao continued spinning.
Every attack was deflected or shattered before it could reach the Pokémon inside.
Frost's eyes sharpened.
"Now, Chien-Pao! Use Ruination!"
"GRAAAOW!"
A deep, unnatural feline roar echoed through the storm.
RUMBLE!
The entire battlefield began to tremble.
Snow surged across the arena like a raging tide. In moments, it rose into an enormous avalanche and swept toward Hydreigon in the sky.
"Hydreigon, get out of there!"
Liora's expression changed as she urgently gave the order.
Hydreigon gave a startled bellow. All six wings beat furiously as it tried to climb above the oncoming wave.
But the avalanche was too broad and far too fast.
It swallowed Hydreigon whole and dragged it down from the sky.
BOOM!
The snow crashed onto the arena and continued piling up until an enormous white mound covered nearly the entire battlefield.
"Chien-Pao, use Swords Dance!"
Frost knew that would not be enough to defeat Hydreigon.
Ruination could halve the target's remaining HP, but it could not finish a healthy opponent by itself.
While Hydreigon remained buried, Chien-Pao climbed onto the mound.
"Rrrrr..."
A low growl vibrated in its throat as the spectral blades reappeared and whirled around its body.
"Hydreigon!"
Liora stared anxiously at the mountain of snow.
For several seconds, there was no response.
Then five enraged voices thundered from deep within it.
"GRAAAAAAH!"
BOOOOM!
The entire mound exploded.
Snow burst outward in every direction as a dark figure shot into the sky.
Hydreigon had broken free.
It looked battered, and all five heads were breathing heavily. Ruination had cut its remaining HP in half, dealing far more damage than any ordinary attack could have managed.
"You're okay!"
Relief spread across Liora's face.
But when she saw Chien-Pao still completing Swords Dance, her expression immediately tightened.
"Hydreigon, use Dark Pulse!"
One of Hydreigon's heads snarled viciously and opened its jaws.
A sphere of black energy condensed inside, radiating a sinister pressure before blasting down toward Chien-Pao.
At that same moment, Swords Dance was completed.
A faint crimson aura spread across Chien-Pao's body as its Attack rose sharply.
"Chien-Pao, Sacred Sword!"
With Swords Dance successfully set up, Frost no longer had any reason to avoid a direct clash.
"RAAARGH!"
Chien-Pao sprang forward with a sharp battle cry.
Pale red energy gathered above its forehead, forming a massive blade nearly two meters long.
It launched itself from the snow mound and charged straight toward the descending Dark Pulse.
The Sacred Sword came down.
SLASH!
BOOOOM!
A massive explosion shook the sky as black energy and crimson light collided.
Smoke billowed across the arena.
Then a red blade tore cleanly through the darkness.
Sacred Sword had cleaved the Dark Pulse apart.
Chien-Pao dropped back onto the snow mound and landed gracefully.
It raised its head, eyes gleaming sharply as it stood above the arena like a victorious king.
A satisfied growl escaped its throat.
Hydreigon answered with a deafening chorus of rage.
"GRAAAAAAH!"
All five heads glared down at Chien-Pao, fury burning in their eyes.
The challenge had thoroughly enraged the aerial tyrant.
The Ultimate Evil Dragon was finally ready to bare its fangs.