The stadium was silent. Not a single spectator dared to speak. Lucario stood directly before Hydreigon. Golden Aura flowed around Lucario like flames. Its eyes remained calm and Focused.
Raven Drake raised his arm.
"Hydreigon!Dark Pulse!"
Dark energy erupted from Hydreigon's three mouths at once. Three Dark Pulses merged into one enormous wave. The attack tore across the battlefield.
Instead of shouting several commands... Elior smiled.
"Lucario...Finish it!"
Lucario sprinted forward. The Golden Aura surrounded its entire body. It dodged left. Then right. Sliding beneath the Dark Pulse, Lucario closed the final distance.
"Aura Sphere!"
A compact sphere of golden Aura formed in Lucario's palm. Instead of throwing it—Lucario drove the Aura Sphere directly into Hydreigon's chest at point-blank range.
BOOOOOOOOM!!
A pillar of golden light shot into the sky. The shockwave spread across the entire stadium.
For several moments... Nothing could be seen. Then...The smoke slowly disappeared. Hydreigon was on one knee. Lucario stood a few steps away, breathing heavily. The crowd held its breath. Hydreigon struggled to stand. It took one step...Then another...Finally...
It collapsed.
THUD.
The referee raised the green flag.
"Hydreigon is unable to battle!The winner is Lucario! This means Victory goes to Elior!"
The stadium erupted with deafening cheers.Raven recalled Hydreigon. He walked toward Elior. A smile finally appeared on his face.
"You earned that victory."
Elior shook his hand.
"Your Hydreigon pushed Lucario beyond its limits."
Raven nodded.
"Don't lose in the next round."
Lucario's golden Aura slowly disappeared.
The familiar blue Aura returned. Lucario looked at its paws. It seemed just as confused as everyone else.
That night...The giant screen above the stadium changed.
QUARTERFINALISTS CONFIRMED
One by one, the names appeared.
ELIOR
MIRA
...and the other qualified trainers.
The commentator's voice echoed through the arena.
"The Quarterfinals of the Luminara League are set!"
Far away, beyond the sea, the ancient ruins on Aether Isle trembled once more as an unseen force continued to awaken.
TO BE CONTINUED...