Tobias and Darkrai

Seeing Munchlax withdrawn, Ash called out eagerly, "Bring out the next one!"

But Mingyou had to disappoint him. He shook his head and said apologetically, "Sorry, those are the only two Pokémon I can use in battle. Unless you don't mind facing Bloodmoon Ursaluna..."

As he spoke, he turned toward Bloodmoon Ursaluna. After all, he had only planned for Munchlax and Snorlax to have a match. Sinistcha wasn't his Pokémon either, so there was nothing he could do.

But Ash only grew more excited. "Battle Bloodmoon Ursaluna? Let's do it!"

"Rrroar..."

Will this be okay...?

Bloodmoon Ursaluna wore its usual dead-eyed, unenthusiastic expression as it stepped up beside Snorlax. It stood a full two heads taller.

It certainly looked intimidating. Dawn instinctively took half a step back, and Piplup curled into a ball. No one would have guessed that such a fierce-looking Bloodmoon Ursaluna was actually gentle by nature.

"Let's battle! Mega Punch!"

Ash thrust out his hand and shouted. Snorlax's punch whipped up a gust as it struck Bloodmoon Ursaluna's fur, which was caked in earth as hard as steel. Bloodmoon Ursaluna didn't budge.

"What...?"

"Focus Blast!"

At Mingyou's command, Bloodmoon Ursaluna's presence surged. A sphere of energy formed in its right palm, and it drove the attack into Snorlax's belly. A boom rang out, followed by a sonic crack, and Snorlax flew backward into a distant tree.

The battle had ended almost as soon as it began.

The gap in strength was enormous. Bloodmoon Ursaluna had held back, too. Otherwise, Snorlax would have flown even farther.

Ash, Dawn, and the others stared in shock. "It's so strong... Just how powerful is that Pokémon?"

"Well, it is Bloodmoon Ursaluna..."

Mingyou smiled calmly. For now, only he and Akari knew about Bloodmoon Ursaluna's past.

But one thing said enough: back