"Sorry, Umbreon. I underestimated him!"
Guilt written across his face, Gladion slowly recalled Umbreon into its Poké Ball and murmured an apology.
He had indeed been careless, letting Bai Shi's string of attacks throw him into a panic.
But now he had come to his senses and realized that his opponent was genuinely strong, not some poser who could only talk big.
From here on, Gladion would put aside every distracting thought and devote his full attention to the battle.
He would win through real strength and back up what he had said earlier.
"Come out, my fiery-eyed Lycanroc!"
Having regained his composure, Gladion sent out his second Pokémon.
Bai Shi stuck to his approach, leaving Beartic on the field.
"Lycanroc, use Swords Dance!"
Gladion changed tactics and gave Lycanroc its command.
He would use Swords Dance to sharply boost its attack.
"Beartic, this is our red-hot Z-Move—Subzero Slammer!"
Bai Shi caught him off guard by unleashing his strongest move right from the start. He revealed the Z-Ring set with an Ice-type Z-Crystal and shouted to Beartic.
A towering pillar of ice rose from the ground. Standing atop it, Beartic fixed its sights on Lycanroc and unleashed a bone-chilling white beam.
"Oh no, a Z-Move! Lycanroc, quick, use Stone Edge!"
Gladion's expression changed abruptly, and he hurriedly shouted to Lycanroc.
He had noticed the Z-Ring on Bai Shi's wrist from the very beginning.
That was also the main reason he had restrained himself instead of having Silvally drive Buzzwole away outright.
What Gladion had never expected, however, was for Bai Shi to use a Z-Move at this moment, catching him off guard once again.
Lycanroc raised its right paw and slammed it into the ground.
Thick, sharp blades of stone rose in front of it, shielding Lycanroc like a wall.