A Dragon Evolves!

"Deino!"

Deino held a brilliant blue flame in its jaws, but instead of releasing it at once, it kept charging toward Altaria.

Its legs were a little short, but it was anything but slow!

Caiyu was startled. She had no idea what Deino was planning and could only call out:

"Dodge with Dragon Dance!"

"Chirru!"

Altaria spread its wings and soared. At first, Scary Face had frightened it so badly that it barely dared to flap them, but as it lost itself in the dance, a soft blue glow gathered around its body and its speed returned.

Vivian couldn't help praising it. "What a beautiful dance! Ah! What's happening? Deino's lying down!"

Deino had rolled onto its back with the blue flame still in its jaws. Bracing against the back of its head and neck, it gave a mighty push and spun rapidly!

"Deino!"

With a low growl, it unleashed the Dragon Flame it had built up. As Deino spun, the energy became a winding dragon that surged upward, sealing off every route Altaria could take to dodge!

In the waiting room, Dawn's face lit up.

"It's Counter Shield! Deino pulled it off!"

"Pip, pip!" Piplup stared intently at the screen, silently cheering Deino on.

It didn't want Mawile's tournament run to end here.

Back in the arena.

Altaria couldn't find a single gap to slip through. The immense wave of Dragon Flame had all but formed a cage, steadily shrinking the space around it.

"Use Feather Dance and dodge left—"

Caiyu clenched her fists, but her command and Altaria's response were both a fraction too late. The energy dragon lunged at it like a living creature!

Boom!

Smoke burst outward. Altaria, itself a Dragon-type Pokémon, cried out in pain and fell from the sky.

Smack!

Caiyu's score plummeted to