Blaziken, standing atop the pillar, slowly raised both claws. It glanced at its bleeding wounds, then at the Skarmory in midair, which wore the same look of shock.
Ignoring the pain, it merely flexed its claws slightly, assessing the depth of the wounds and the condition of its bones.
Thankfully, it's only flesh wounds. The bones are fine.
It raised its head and looked toward its opponent in the air. In its blue eyes burned an even fiercer fighting spirit than before.
As Winona watched Blaziken, the admiration in her eyes deepened. At the same time, she noticed the burn marks on Skarmory's body.
Even if ordinary flames penetrated the double defense of the wind wall and Steel Wing, they shouldn't have been able to inflict burns afterward. Red flames... Wait, could that be Fire of Belief?
"Skarmory!" Realizing that the opponent's Blaziken might truly possess Fire of Belief, Winona spoke softly, her Qi carrying a trace of apology. "Sorry for putting you through this. But we can't lose this battle."
"Ah—!" Skarmory let out a low cry, and fighting spirit burned in its sharp eyes as well.
Enduring the searing pain across its body, it flapped its wings and climbed once more, taking an even higher position.
Sunlight shone from behind it, gilding its silver body with a golden halo.
Winona raised her hand, her voice clear and resolute. "Skarmory, use Swords Dance!"
"Ah—!"
Skarmory threw back its head and released a long cry as dazzling platinum-white light flared around its body!
The Qi around it began to dance, and the milky-white energy surrounding it condensed further. Its metal-feathered wings became even sharper!
"Blaziken." At the moment Skarmory finished powering up, Xinhai's voice rang out, calm yet forceful. "Bulk Up."
Blaziken took a deep Qi, spread its legs slightly,