As Glalie's frigid domain solidified, Landorus could no longer afford to take Glacia and her Pokémon lightly.
While Glalie still couldn't deal heavy damage to it, the longer the fight went on, the more the freezing energy saturated the battlefield. Even Landorus began to feel sluggish—its ability to manipulate Ground and Flying-type energy had become noticeably delayed.
Not only that, but its movement in the air had grown slower as well. A thin layer of icy crystals had begun to coat its body, subtly hampering its speed and reflexes.
Landorus, realizing the creeping threat of entrapment, grew serious. If this kept up, it risked being frozen into submission within this glacial battlefield.
It wasn't sure how Glalie had managed to construct such a zone, but it had no intention of being buried in ice. It would shatter this cold prison with its own power.
With a roar, Landorus summoned a howling Sandstorm, infused with its primordial energy. Scorching grains of sand tore through the domain like a vortex, rocking the entire battlefield and threatening to rupture the delicate balance of the icy domain.
Each time the hot sand clashed with a snowflake, a sharp hissing filled the air—like molten iron plunged into cold water. Thick steam blanketed the battlefield, obscuring both Landorus and Glalie from view.
Rex and Yuli could no longer see the fight clearly, but Rex knew what was happening: a pure contest of power. If Landorus's sandstorm could overwhelm the frost zone, the battle would turn against Glalie.
"Glalie, Mega Evolve!"
Sensing the stalemate tipping against her, Glacia made her move.
She and Glalie were perfectly attuned. The instant she called for Mega Evolution, their Key Stone and Mega Stone linked with brilliant beams of light.
Moments later, a glow enveloped Glalie—and then it emerged, transformed into its Mega form.
Now in its supercharged state, Mega Glalie exuded overwhelming power. The icy battlefield, moments from collapse under Landorus's assault, suddenly steadied and reinforced.
Unlike before, Mega Glalie no longer needed to use moves like Blizzard. A single breath from its enormous maw conjured a snowstorm that swept across the field, deepening the frost with terrifying ease.
On the sidelines, Tornadus and Thundurus could no longer sit smugly. The playful scorn on their faces had been replaced with solemnity. They, too, had fallen to the mysterious force of Mega Evolution once before—at the hands of Diancie.
And now, witnessing Glalie's explosive leap in strength, they couldn't help but feel a growing unease. This level of power seemed even greater than when Tornadus had fused with the Reveal Mirror.
Even more unsettling was that, unlike Diancie—who had barely managed a single devastating strike before exhausting itself—Glacia and Glalie had clearly mastered this power. Their seamless coordination allowed them to unleash Mega Glalie's full potential.
Still, despite its boost, Mega Glalie had only reached a level on par with Therian Forme Landorus. It was not a decisive advantage.
The key difference was Glacia herself. With her expert command, she could amplify her partner's power and precision beyond its natural limits. That synergy was what allowed a trainer to overcome a gap in sheer power.
Between Glacia's brilliant strategies and her bond with Glalie, the battle momentum shifted. Landorus found itself constantly pressed, its space and mobility shrinking rapidly as it scrambled to adapt.
"Glacia's amazing... She's actually forcing Landorus back!"
Yuli's eyes sparkled as she watched, admiration written all over her face.
Although she wasn't one for Pokémon battles herself, she couldn't help but be captivated by Glacia's elegance and calm. There was a quiet strength in her demeanor that Yuli deeply admired.
Watching her, Yuli began to dream—maybe one day she could become a composed, graceful woman like Glacia. In her eyes, Glacia had become the embodiment of strength and beauty.
Rex didn't interrupt her awe. Even he had to admit—Glacia's ability to push back a Mythical Pokémon using a regular (albeit powerful) Pokémon was nothing short of incredible. Right now, even his Totem Swellow probably couldn't manage that.
But he also knew something crucial: Mega Evolution had a time limit.
If Mega Glalie couldn't finish the fight soon, once its transformation ended, there would be no doubt about the outcome.
And sure enough, after one final blizzard surged forth—so powerful it turned the entire area white—Mega Glalie reverted to its base form, panting heavily from the effort.
"I concede."
Glacia, though drained from the mental strain of Mega Evolution, calmly acknowledged defeat. She'd evaluated the battlefield thoroughly and made her call.
Landorus, meanwhile, looked downright disappointed. It had just been getting fired up, ready to unleash a counterattack. Now, denied its chance, it could only growl in frustration.
The match may have ended in defeat, but Glacia had no regrets. She had confirmed what she came to learn: that Mythical Pokémon stood in a different realm of power.
Even after evolving, Glalie hadn't been able to land a serious blow on Landorus—who, by all accounts, had never even used its full strength.
The gap between ordinary Pokémon and Mythical ones was vast. Mega Evolution could bridge that gap—narrow it—but not eliminate it. Not yet, anyway.
Still, Glacia wasn't discouraged. This battle had shown her the road ahead, and she was confident: if she kept moving forward, one day, she and Glalie would reach that level and even surpass it.
And after this clash, Landorus, Tornadus, and Thundurus no longer dared look down on the human woman. The strength Glacia had displayed earned their respect.
"Glacia, why don't you take a break?"
Rex and Yuli approached her, offering their support.
"Thanks. I'd appreciate that."
She didn't refuse their kindness. After that intense battle, she needed time to recover.
The three of them walked toward Yuli's small cottage, with Diancie and Shaymin quietly trailing behind.
As for the other Pokémon, they dispersed to rest and process what they'd just witnessed.
Surprisingly, Rex found himself unable to speak much on the way back. Yuli, usually reserved, had become delightfully chatty, her usual restraint replaced by girlish enthusiasm.
Her laughter and Glacia's calm responses created a warm harmony, and Rex just smiled quietly, letting them enjoy their moment.