The move Sleep Talk had a very simple effect: it allowed the Pokémon to use one of its learned moves even while asleep.
However, Sleep Talk only guaranteed that Goodra wouldn't be a sitting duck while Resting—it wouldn't turn into an immobile fixed target.
Moreover, the move had some randomness. If unlucky, it could roll something like Splash. Fortunately, Goodra didn't have that move in its movepool.
Even in that previous emergency, Nemona had suppressed her impulse and saved Sleep Talk precisely for this moment.
No matter how strong Geeta was as the Top Champion and how much she knew about many Pokémon, humans had blind spots. It was impossible to cover everything.
The flash of surprise in Geeta's eyes the moment she heard "Sleep Talk" proved that Nemona's thinking was correct.
As for everything that followed… it was up to luck—no, up to the "bond" between her and Goodra!
"Grooo…"
Goodra, deep in slumber, let out a murmur-like cry. Even though it was asleep, it stood up as if sleepwalking.
Within the thick smoke produced by the exploding Dragon Darts, two flashes of emerald light were especially eye-catching.
The next instant…
Accompanied by the pained cries of the two Dreepy that hadn't managed to retreat in time, the extended green light lashed out like a whip toward the two closest Dreepy.
The smoke was scattered by the strike, revealing the scene inside.
When Nemona saw the twin-tail antennae hanging down beside the eyes-closed Goodra, she instantly realized which move Goodra had rolled with Sleep Talk.
Power Whip!
Even though Grass-type attacks were resisted by Dragon-types, without the energy protection Dragapult released when firing Dragon Darts, the two Dreepy's physiques naturally couldn't withstand the hit at all.
"You worked hard."
Geeta took out two Poké Balls to recall the already fainted Dreepy and gently comforted them.
The Dragapult line was quite special. When gathered together, they were treated as one entity, but when separated, they could still be recognized as individual Pokémon.
In terms of rules, although the Dreepy had lost their ability to battle, Dragapult itself was not considered to have lost the match. It simply could no longer use its signature Dragon Darts move for the time being.
Nemona's lucky counterattack was brilliant, but it only changed the move Geeta would use with Dragapult to finish off Goodra—from Dragon Darts to Dragon Rush.
Even when Goodra finally woke up at the critical moment, all it could do was barely spit out a deep-purple energy projectile, unleashing a Meteor Swarm that even engulfed itself.
After dealing some damage to Dragapult, Goodra completely lost its ability to fight.
At this point, Dragapult had defeated two of Nemona's fighters in a row.
The advantage Nemona had worked so hard to create was equalized, and both sides were back on the same starting line.
——No. Because of Decidueye's and Ursaluna's current conditions, Nemona was actually the one at a disadvantage now.
Still standing before her were a Dragapult that had completed four Dragon Dance stacks, an Espathra that had taken one Earthquake from Ursaluna but still retained mobility, and one final unrevealed ace waiting in the back!
"…Ursaluna!"
Nemona took a deep breath and tossed out the Poké Ball in her hand.
She didn't have many choices left. There was no point in hesitating now.
Red light flashed.
"Roar!"
Ursaluna's eyes were bloodshot, its rage at its peak. Its deafening roar sent powerful sound waves that nearly shattered the rubble across the entire battlefield.
It still held a grudge over being hit by Dragapult's Dragon Tail!
Bears were intelligent, cunning, and highly vengeful creatures. Ursaluna swore it would crush Dragapult mercilessly!
"Extreme Speed!"
"Dragon Claw!"
The battle was nearing its endgame. Neither side wasted words. They focused and began an intense clash.
Both sides had played most of their tactical cards. Now was the time to verify the results through raw power against raw power.
After four Dragon Dance boosts, Dragapult moved like a phantom—elusive yet its strength fully matching Ursaluna, which was burning its life with a Flame Orb.
Although releasing Hydro Pump from range would have been more advantageous, Geeta still had Dragapult engage Ursaluna in fierce close-quarters combat.
One had fully awakened its ancient, primal ferocity; the other possessed crystal-clear awareness of its own power.
For a time, Dragon Claws and bear paws clashed repeatedly.
The long dragon tail struck Ursaluna's peat-covered body with Breaking Swipe, only to be grabbed by the opponent despite the pain and slammed into the ground like a whip.
The pure physical contest was so gripping that even Iono stopped his commentary and watched with full concentration, afraid to miss a single detail.
Just as the already scarred Dragapult used Phantom Force to slip into the shadows and appear behind Ursaluna…
Nemona burst out with the fastest hand speed of her life. She recalled Ursaluna with one hand while switching!
"Decidueye, Spirit Shackle!"
She didn't even care that the Poké Ball she threw had landed on the ground. Decidueye ignored it, letting it roll away across the uneven battlefield.
Suffering from Toxic and the damage from Glimmora's earlier attacks, its stamina was now like a candle in the wind. Any further contact might leave it unable to stand.
Even so, despite the pain everywhere, Decidueye gritted its teeth and, with the fastest speed of its life, shook off its feathers, drew its bowstring to full, and seized this hard-earned moment—the instant Dragapult emerged from its Phantom Force stealth state.
Twang!
The crisp sound of the vibrating bowstring echoed across the peak of the Paldea League. With a "whoosh," the arrow wreathed in shadows shot forth.
The next instant, the enraged Dragon Tail of the reacting Dragapult grew larger and larger in Decidueye's eyes. With its stamina at its limit, there was no way it could endure the hit.
Not even with bond and willpower.
Yet before it completely lost consciousness, the image reflected in Decidueye's eyes was that of its feathered arrow embedding three inches into the ground—completely piercing Dragapult's shadow.
Satisfied, it let its consciousness fall into the abyss.
Although Glimmora had taken so much advantage, it had still contributed to breaking the deadlock for the team, right?
Bang!
After a loud crash, Decidueye was slapped to the ground like a rag doll by Dragapult.
The scattered feathers, however, could not hide the panic around Dragapult.
Before it broke free from Spirit Shackle, not only could it not be recalled into its Poké Ball for switching, but even the speed with which it had toyed with Ursaluna was completely sealed!
As Decidueye was recalled into its Poké Ball, a familiar angry roar put Dragapult on high alert.
Watching Ursaluna re-enter the field, steam-like white vapor rising with every breath and heavy steps as it advanced, Dragapult bared its fangs and waved its tiny Tyrannosaurus-like forelimbs.
Come on! Who's afraid of who!
"Dragapult has lost its ability to battle!"
In the live broadcast room, Iono suddenly slumped into her chair as if all strength had left her, yet her eyes remained fixed on the screen.
It had been too close. If not for Decidueye's sacrificial Spirit Shackle—released the moment Dragapult failed to react and restricting both switching and movement—Dragapult's agility and power really could have swept the team!
However, even though they had only taken down Dragapult, the accumulated injuries on Ursaluna had already reached a level that could no longer be ignored.
The burn from the Flame Orb was still constantly affecting it. Whether it could defeat Espathra might decide the entire match's direction!
Noticing on screen that Geeta recalled Dragapult and sent out Espathra, Iono shot upright, casually picked up an orange from Lucas's farm beside her, and grinned mischievously as she cut the feed.
"The decisive battle that will determine the outcome is about to begin. But before that, let Iono introduce this product to everyone…"
At this moment, Lucas had no idea that Iono was once again sneakily advertising for his farm with a ruined climax ad. He was watching Ursaluna charge forward like a rampaging beast despite Espathra's Lumina Crash, its bear paw glowing with earthy-yellow light as it slammed heavily onto Espathra.
Lucas seriously suspected that Professor Oak had engaged in academic fraud.
Was this what your Pokédex described? "Contrary to its gorgeous appearance, its personality is actually quite ferocious"?
In the face of Ursaluna's desperate ferocity, the Espathra that had acted tough in front of Goodra now behaved like a quail, chased all over the field by Ursaluna.
Because Espathra's own condition wasn't great either, its Wind Rider ability couldn't activate in front of Ursaluna at all—after all, it couldn't copy the Guts ability triggered by the Flame Orb.
As a result, Espathra was completely outmatched in power by Ursaluna.
Lucas remembered that Espathra's movepool included Skill Swap or Trick, which would have been perfect against Ursaluna. Yet for some reason, Geeta didn't seem to have any intention of issuing such commands.
In the end, Espathra could only unwillingly set up Trick Room before being slapped to the ground by Ursaluna and completely losing consciousness. It probably wouldn't get up anytime soon.
This also meant Ursaluna had successfully scored a double KO!
"This is the beauty of raw power. Still, its willpower truly deserves applause."
Lucas clapped slowly, a slight smile appearing on his face.
Now, Geeta only had one Pokémon left.
However, this final Pokémon might be even harder to deal with than any Geeta had sent out so far.
Lucas's gaze fell on Nemona, who seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and was concernedly asking Ursaluna if it could still hold on.
Don't relax.
The real test is only just beginning.
"Return, Espathra."
As she raised her hand to recall her Pokémon, Geeta let out a soft breath.
At this stage of the battle, it had to be said that Nemona had far exceeded her expectations. She had accidentally gotten serious and gone all out.
She couldn't help but laugh with delight. "Ahaha! Ahahahaha! Don't let your guard down yet!"
"This is my final Pokémon. If you can defeat it, then you will be the new Champion-level trainer!"
"Come forth, my ace!"
Red light flashed.
A Kingambit with the same appearance as the one Lucas and Tinkatuff had encountered in that bamboo forest appeared—but its aura was on a completely different level.
If the bamboo-forest Kingambit was the leader of a band of mountain bandits, then Geeta's Kingambit was a battle-hardened general. Just its presence alone brought an indescribable terror and pressure to both Ursaluna and Nemona.
Especially the sharp great blade atop its head, reflecting a cold glint under the sunlight. Any metal, no matter how hard, would probably be sliced in two with one slash.
The instant it was stared down by that piercing gaze, Ursaluna, feeling immense pressure, couldn't help but assume a fully defensive stance.
Dark + Steel. Geeta's true ace—Kingambit, enter the stage!
Knowing that breaking through Kingambit would secure victory, Nemona chose to attack proactively without hesitation.
"Ursaluna, Earthquake!"
Although Ursaluna's condition wasn't great, thanks to the type advantage, it should still pose some threat to Kingambit.
That would then give the incoming Pawmot plenty of room to perform!
"Roar!"
Ursaluna threw its head back and roared. Powerful shockwaves surged toward the seated Kingambit as its right foot slammed down heavily.
Under the onslaught of Earthquake, even Kingambit would have to pay a considerable price!
But Nemona hadn't expected that Geeta would take out a crystal from her pocket at this moment.
"Shine forth with the light that guides trainers, Kingambit!"
Crack—
The Tera Orb thrown by Geeta floated in the air and burst with light.
The crystalline phantom enveloping Kingambit shattered instantly.
Countless sparkling fragments gathered into a dazzling Tera Crown. Several comical-looking Tera balloons carried Kingambit's body as it slowly rose into the air.
Ursaluna's Earthquake missed completely!
"Flying!?"
Nemona's eyes widened. She had never imagined Geeta would pull out a Tera type beyond her expectations.
She had thought the worst case was Kingambit Tera Dark, which Earthquake couldn't super-effectively hit.
She hadn't expected a direct immunity to Ground-type moves via Tera Flying!
"Tera Blast."
Geeta smiled and snapped her fingers.
Sky-blue crystalline light began gathering on Kingambit's great blade, then transformed into a torrent of light that poured forth.
"Not good—Endure!"
Even though Nemona reacted instantly and had Ursaluna use what was theoretically its highest-power move…
She had still underestimated the current state of Geeta's Kingambit.
In just one exchange, Ursaluna—with STAB + Guts + Endure—was completely swallowed by Tera Blast.
The Ursaluna that had always crushed opponents with raw power was now being crushed in return by Kingambit.
Watching this scene, Lucas sighed softly and murmured, "This… is what an ace looks like in the final stage of battle."