It couldn't be that Aegislash committed suicide, could it?
It didn't have a Mega Evolution, and it couldn't suffer from energy disorder.
After all was said and done, the most likely explanation was Destiny Bond. Only Destiny Bond could have allowed Mimikyu to take down Aegislash when it was at such a disadvantage.
Aegislash's swordsmanship was simple yet powerful.
Perhaps inheriting sword skills from its past life, apart from the light blade that fascinated it so much, the essence of its moves was actually just the most ordinary slashes. Under the glow of its brilliant light, it delivered a fatal strike.
Under these circumstances, the probability of crashing with Mimikyu's Phantom Force, affecting each other, and ultimately leading to Aegislash's defeat was infinitely close to zero.
The final conclusion was Destiny Bond.
That somewhat cheap move.
But in truth, it has a chance of failing, and its external signs are quite obvious. When used, the user's body turns purple, easily noticeable.
At the very least, Aegislash's single eye wasn't just for show; it would definitely have seen it.
Even though after reciting its poem, Aegislash looked ready to charge in mindlessly, in reality, both its style of conduct and its attack methods were known for being steady.
Rashly seeking glory simply didn't exist.
Furthermore, the last move Mimikyu used was clearly Phantom Force, and it did indeed teleport behind them.
Where would it have had the chance to use Destiny Bond?
The time from Mimikyu phasing behind them to Aegislash's slash was pitifully short, practically an instant.
The most likely possibility was that after the slash, Mimikyu used Phantom Force to block part of the attack's power, and then, at the critical moment, just before being cut down, it got lucky and used Destiny Bond.
The effect triggered, and then the damage took it out.
Thus, Aegislash, which wasn't in ideal condition, went to the afterlife together with it.
But regardless, the speed at which the move was executed was still a bit too fast.
There was almost no start-up lag.
Had it experienced a sudden burst of power?
Thinking this way, Taunt really is important. Unfortunately, Aegislash couldn't learn it, and Li Xiang had no chance to switch.
There's little point in dwelling on it now. Learn from the experience.
Li Xiang ran to pick up the shield, covered in gunpowder residue, and returned it along with Aegislash to its Poké Ball.
Su Qian also stood not far away, recalling her unconscious Mimikyu.
The two inadvertently glanced at each other… then quickly looked away.
Seeing their Pokémon lose, neither side grew impatient. The match was far from over.
Due to the final exchange, the two trainers weren't far apart.
Bang! Bang!
Two Pokémon were sent out.
"ROAR!!"
Hot air swirled across the field. The roar made the flames burn even higher, stirring restlessness in the heart. The intense heat flushed the faces of the two trainers inside.
Even the spectators in the stands could feel the heat rolling toward them.
Incineroar, wreathed in flames, grinned at its opponent with a smug and arrogant smile.
Opposite it stood a green-haired, green-clad, white-dressed, slender humanoid Pokémon.
A third-generation Psychic and Fairy-type, the wife of countless Pokémon fans, the queen of Pokémon fan art, the Gardevoir with the Trace ability.
It held up its gauze-like skirt, gazing at its ferocious opponent with elegance and indifference.
When Incineroar intimidated it, the Trace ability naturally took effect.
The air froze for a moment, then spread outward, enveloping Incineroar's body.
Unlike the sudden thunderclap of Incineroar's roar, Gardevoir's Intimidation was silent. You didn't even have to look at it to feel as if a ten-thousand-ton boulder was pressing down on you.
You couldn't breathe.
This was a formless fear, acting deep within the mind, making one's scalp tingle. It was far cooler than Incineroar standing there like an idiot, just roaring its head off.
Incineroar stared at the extraordinary Gardevoir, momentarily stunned, goosebumps spreading from the tip of its tail all the way to its scalp.
This wasn't fear. It was excitement.
I love this!
Incineroar's eyes gleamed. It completely ignored the lowered attack stat. The corners of its mouth curved up wildly as it suddenly leaped!
Bang!
The ground trembled slightly. White energy like milk covered its arm as it viciously swung down at Gardevoir!
Fake Out!
Thud!
A dull impact!
A green circular shield appeared before the tiger's paw, blocking the move that would have caused flinching.
Gardevoir retreated backward, its eyes faintly glowing blue. Countless distorted rings spread out like ripples, carrying drowsiness.
Without a doubt, this was Hypnosis.
Gardevoir's reaction was fast, but Incineroar's was just as quick. It knew that Hypnosis wasn't something you could escape just by closing your eyes.
Those ripples would directly affect its body the moment they touched it.
So, with a heave of its abdomen, a sticky, furry ball was suddenly coughed up from its mouth, instantly exploding with a bang!
The flames disrupted the ripples!
Though somewhat disgusting and very weak in power, it was sufficiently useful.
Yes, Incineroar had picked up the habit of licking its fur again, ever since being licked by those three cats. That thing it just spat out was the recent result of that habit!
"Gardevoir!"
Gardevoir clearly hadn't expected such a disgusting move from its opponent. It showed a look of disgust, raising its hands to protect its face from the flames.
At the same time, it rose from the ground, flying through the air with its psychic powers, trying to put more distance between itself and Incineroar.
Incineroar had no intention of letting it have its way, but before moving, it curled its finger at Gardevoir.
Its contemptuous and wildly arrogant expression was enough to make anyone's blood boil!
Mid-air, Gardevoir looked down from above, gazing disdainfully at Incineroar like a proud, unyielding empress.
Both sides used Taunt!
Black energy flowed between them, equally matched.
As in any battle, Pokémon with Taunt use it; those without Taunt defend against it, unless using Taunt would cause them greater loss.
Once upon a time, the three cores of competitive battling were Protect, Intimidate, and Trick Room.
Here, they were surpassing limits, Taunt, and bonds.
This showed just how important Taunt is.
The Taunt contest between these two Pokémon might directly decide the direction of this match.
Both trainers remained silent, waiting for the result.
Of course, they didn't make everyone wait long. After a few blinks, dark light flickered over both Pokémon.
Taunt had succeeded for both sides!
Who would have thought such a coincidence would occur in this crucial battle!
Both sides had lost the ability to use status moves!
Gasps came from the audience. The importance of status moves was undeniable. Especially for Gardevoir, as a Psychic-type, it had so many moves available.
With Taunt successfully landing, it essentially cut its strength in half!
The corners of Incineroar's mouth lifted.
It had no hard requirements for status moves. A double Taunt lockdown was definitely more advantageous for it.
Next, it just needed to not give Gardevoir a chance to switch!
Go straight to the trump card. Train for a thousand days to use for one moment!
Incineroar suddenly pulled a cigar from its mane and stepped backward.
Seeing this, Su Qian's expression finally changed.
"Psychic! Don't let it smoke!"
"Gardevoir!"
Gardevoir also understood the critical importance of that cigar. It didn't even bother attacking Incineroar's body anymore, directly using Psychic to blast at the cigar!
Faced with this, Incineroar didn't dodge. Instead, it actively tossed the cigar into the air and simultaneously spat a mouthful of flame from its mouth!
The flame and the light wave of Psychic collided!
The cigar was caught between them!
Bang!
In the violent explosion, the cigar instantly turned to ashes, spreading outward with the thick smoke.
Incineroar didn't care what else was mixed in there. It opened its mouth and took a deep, powerful drag!
Hiss—
In an instant, Incineroar's eyes filled with blood vessels, its muscles bulged, and white smoke continuously erupted from its pores, swirling around it!
Sage Mode!
Smoking during battle grants boundless power!
The jade-like belt shone brightly, its center like a vortex frantically drawing oxygen from the air, feeding the blazing flames!
Li Xiang quickly retreated. He had long since stopped adhering to the five-meter rule. Besides, when Incineroar went wild, fifteen meters weren't enough!
He ran as far away as he could!
Boom!
Like a sudden clap of thunder!
An explosion from the raging fire!
Across from them, Su Qian hadn't expected her move to backfire like this. Her expression grew even more serious.
"Focus Blast."
Brownish-red energy gathered in Gardevoir's palm. In an instant, it formed a spiraling orb and fired it off!
The orb shrieked through the air!
However, Incineroar didn't dodge at all. It swept its right claw, catching the attack head-on, letting it explode and cause damage to itself!
"Roar!"
It roared furiously, the pain intensifying its physical reactions, accelerating the transformation.
Gardevoir was already powerless to stop it!
Seeing this, Su Qian decisively used the opportunity to switch Gardevoir out, replacing it with the original lead, Togekiss.
Gardevoir couldn't fall yet!
On the field, the air around Incineroar was being scorched, fierce winds howled, and the intense heat was almost suffocating.
The belt glowed incandescent, like a moving piece of magma. Crimson light clung to its body like a coat of lava, radiating suffocating heat!
The light was so bright it was painful to look at!
No command was needed. Li Xiang had no chance to get close either.
Incineroar roared at its opponent, stomped forward, and charged!
Bang!
The ground shattered!
The high temperature instantly fused parts of it into crystals. Where Incineroar passed, a continuous trail of scorch marks formed a bizarre path!
Flames surged wildly!
...….....
Opposite, Togekiss had just landed. Facing the charging Incineroar, it decisively put up a shield and fled backward!
Unfortunately, once Incineroar locked onto an opponent, it absolutely would not let it escape.
It spread its arms, pulled its right fist back, and flames visibly converged toward it!
In the blink of an eye, a colossal volcanic fist appeared!
The light was so intensely hot that even the sun was eclipsed!
The air constantly trembled, emitting a sharp whistle, as if it might tear open at any moment!
"ROAR!!"
Incineroar suddenly leaped, roaring as its fist slammed into Togekiss's Protect!
Bang!
BOOM—!!
Like a nuclear bomb hitting the earth!
The fragile Protect exploded the moment it made contact. The volcanic fist, like a ten-thousand-ton freighter, slammed Togekiss straight down from the sky!
Then came a towering pillar of fire!
The smoke and shockwave suddenly sent Su Qian flying! INCIn the arena, a scene reminiscent of a volcanic eruption had appeared!
Even the onlookers couldn't bear to look directly!
No one thought Togekiss could withstand that terrifying punch either!