Lurantis' fighting style and the speed of its skill execution left Rosa utterly perplexed.
"Is this truly the extent of what Lurantis can do?" she wondered, her understanding of Pokémon completely upended.
As she watched the fierce battle between the two Pokémon, Rosa's gaze locked onto Lurantis. "Is this the fabled advantage of Shiny members?" she mused. She had heard rumors about Shiny members having certain advantages, but this performance completely redefined her expectations.
Lurantis' Bullet Seed struck Magnezone again, and several seeds attached themselves to its metallic body. Rosa's expression changed in an instant.
"Danger!" she shouted. "Magnezone, get rid of those seeds immediately!"
But it was too late. Lurantis launched its next move: Giga Drain. The seeds on Magnezone glowed with vibrant green light as energy was siphoned away, revitalizing Lurantis and leaving Magnezone visibly weakened. The once stalwart Pokémon now wobbled, as though intoxicated.
"Magnezone!" Rosa cried, frustration bubbling up. "How could I let this happen?"
Reenergized, Lurantis wasted no time initiating its next attack. The Solar Blade formed, and Lurantis transformed into a radiant, sword-like figure, charging directly at Magnezone.
"Evade it!" Rosa yelled in desperation.
But Magnezone couldn't move fast enough. The golden beam of light cleaved through the battlefield, striking Magnezone and rendering it unable to fight.
"Lura~!" Lurantis cried as the glowing aura dissipated. It glanced at Rosa briefly before retreating to its initial position, exuding an aura of calm confidence.
Rosa stared at Lurantis, awe filling her chest. "What a stunning Pokémon," she thought, as she returned Magnezone to its Poké Ball. Without hesitation, she reached for another.
"The next round won't be so easy for you," she declared. "Get ready, little one! Go, Luxray!"
The Poké Ball burst open, releasing a formidable, quasi-Elite-level Luxray onto the battlefield. The crackling energy surrounding the electric-type Pokémon was palpable.
Sensing the new challenger's strength, Lurantis sharpened its focus. It knew this was its true rival. The earlier match against Magnezone had only been a warm-up.
"You have the first move!" Rosa called out confidently.
Luxray appeared on the field, narrowing his piercing eyes at Lurantis as his electric fur sparked faintly. His poised stance gave the impression he was preparing for an intense battle.
This time, Rosa let Lurantis make the first move.
Hearing her command, Lurantis gave a slight nod before closing his eyes. Roots sprouted from beneath his feet, anchoring him firmly into the ground. Simultaneously, a soothing green aura enveloped his body.
"Ingrain. Synthesis," Rosa muttered in disbelief, watching as Lurantis rapidly restored his strength. The sight left her momentarily stunned, unable to issue a counter-command.
"What is this?" she murmured, confused. But her bewilderment quickly turned to alarm as Lurantis sprang into action.
"Lura~~~!" Lurantis cried out as the green light of Synthesis transformed into energy. The Solar Blade manifested instantly in his hands, glowing fiercely as he swung it toward Luxray with precision and speed reminiscent of Sacred Sword.
"Meow~!" Luxray yelped, startled by the sudden onslaught. However, his instincts kicked in, and he leaped to the side, narrowly dodging the glowing blade.
"Agility!" Rosa finally regained her composure, her voice sharp with urgency.
Luxray's movements became even swifter, darting away as Lurantis pursued relentlessly. With his roots still restoring strength and the Solar Blade now a near-permanent weapon, Lurantis looked like a skilled swordsman, slicing the air as he chased his target.
In the distance, Gallade observed the battle silently, his eyes fixed on Rosa. A skeptical thought crossed his mind: Is this trainer even qualified? He glanced at the Poké Balls on Rosa's belt, sensing the Pokémon inside shared his concern. By comparison to other Gym Leaders, her command level seemed lacking.
"Luxray, Quick Attack, then Wild Charge!" Rosa's voice cut through the tension as she clenched her fists, realizing that dodging alone wouldn't be enough. She needed to take the offensive.
Hearing her command, Luxray's speed surged again. His body shimmered with light as he transitioned from Quick Attack to Wild Charge, electricity crackling around him as he charged headlong toward the relentless Lurantis.
At the same time, Luxray's body became engulfed in thunder and lightning, rushing toward Lurantis.
Boom!
Lurantis was caught off guard by the incredible speed of Luxray's attack. Its Ingrain roots were firmly planted in the mud, leaving no time to evade. Luxray crashed into it with full force.
Seeing her strategy pay off, Rosa's face lit up.
"Now, Night Slash!" she commanded.
Hearing Rosa's words, Luxray overcame the residual effects of its previous Wild Charge and charged forward. Its body turned into a black blur as it closed in on Lurantis.
Just as Luxray was about to strike, a burst of vibrant petals erupted from around Lurantis. The whirlwind of petals surged toward Luxray.
"Petal Blizzard!"
Luxray was thrown back by the swirling petals, letting out a pained roar. "Lux! Luxray!" It twisted midair to regain control, landing on the ground and sliding back before coming to a halt.
Lurantis, though still standing, was clearly strained. Sparks flickered across its body, a clear sign of paralysis. Still, it seemed resolute, refusing to back down.
"Lu-raan!" Lurantis steadied itself and prepared for another move. Instead of waiting for Luxray to attack, it charged forward with surprising agility. The blades on its arms began to glow gold, signaling a shift to close-quarters combat.
"Luxray, Fire Fang!" Rosa called out.
Luxray's movements accelerated, flames licking at its sharp fangs as it darted toward the advancing Lurantis. Its fiery jaws aimed for the perfect strike.
If Lurantis couldn't dodge or counter in time, the battle would almost certainly be decided.
"Lura!" Lurantis cried out fiercely.
But it wouldn't be so easily struck. The glowing blades of its arms slashed forward, crossing into an X-Scissor aimed directly at Luxray's fiery jaws.
Seeing the sharp attack coming, Luxray instinctively dodged, leaping aside. The idea of biting down on such a move was unthinkable.
Luxray thought to itself, Bite that? Are you kidding me? No way I'm stopping that with my teeth!
Rosa bit her lip as she watched the tense exchange, anxiety creeping in. She couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration.
Evan isn't even here, she thought bitterly, and yet his Pokémon might defeat mine?
Doubt swirled in her mind, and a wave of self-recrimination followed. Maybe I'm not cut out to be a trainer after all. She felt a pang of hopelessness. I've always been more passionate about making Pokémon food than battling.
Finally, Rosa made a bold decision. She released her grip on control of the battle, surrendering it to Luxray's instincts.
"Luxray," she called, "I won't give you any instructions. Just fight however you see fit!"
Luxray turned its sharp gaze toward Rosa and nodded, understanding her resolve. Its expression hardened, and a spark of something primal ignited within it. Memories of its wild days came flooding back.
Hunting time! it thought to itself, its golden eyes narrowing as its figure disappeared into a blur of movement.
Luxray darted around the battlefield with incredible speed, its movements silent and calculated, like a predator closing in on its prey. Its nimble steps made no sound as it weaved through the grasses, every motion deliberate.
Gallade, observing from the sidelines, tensed up. It could sense the shift in energy. A Pokémon fighting without a trainer's commands was unpredictable—and dangerous.
Gallade silently wished for Lurantis to stand its ground. Defeat it, or break through it, Gallade thought, its focus unwavering as it scanned the field for an opening.
Lurantis could feel the weight of Luxray's movements bearing down on it. The pressure was immense, but it didn't hesitate. Drawing on its own strengths, it activated Grassy Terrain, spreading a verdant carpet of energy-infused grass across the battlefield. The ground transformed, bursting into lush greenery, the natural energy surging to its aid.
The moment the terrain changed, Luxray made its move. It struck with lightning speed, its form becoming a streak of electricity hurtling toward Lurantis.