A few seconds later, the dust cleared, and everyone gradually made out the scene on the field.
Hariyama's massive body knelt on one knee in the sand. Its broad shoulders heaved slightly, and a few flickering flames still clung to its body, scorching its skin and sending up wisps of smoke.
It tried to push itself up.
But the moment it rose, the flames seared it. With a muffled groan, it dropped heavily to its knee again. Pain filled its face, and its once-bright eyes had dimmed.
"That's enough, Hariyama. You don't have to fight anymore."
Brawly hurried over and placed a hand on his partner's shoulder, his voice full of concern. "You did great."
"Lin Mo, you won this match. There's no need to continue. Hariyama and I concede."
Hearing that it had won, Larvesta lit up like a firework. Five thin jets of flame burst from the five horns on its head with a pop.
It held its head high and marched to the center of the field on its six little legs, looking every bit like a general fresh from victory.
But pride was one thing.
When Larvesta saw the flames still burning on Hariyama, it immediately scurried over and gently touched them with its horns.
Something remarkable happened.
As if answering a summons, the flames flowed up Larvesta's horns and back into its body, leaving only a few blackened marks on Hariyama.
Milotic swam over from behind Lin Mo as well.
With a gentle flick of its tail, several glowing blue drops of Life Dew floated over and landed on Hariyama. The instant they touched its skin, they became a soft mist of light.
The burned areas visibly began to ease, and the pain gradually left Hariyama's face.
It gave Larvesta and Milotic a low roar