"Flygon, the Mystic pokémon, a Ground and Dragon Type. This pokémon's wings can flap clouds of sand and they use it to get around unnoticed. It has earned the name of the Spirit of the Desert."
Eventhough Krookodile was a Ground Type, Kyra didn't want to risk a Sandstorm being set up. If Flygon got lucky, Moxie's current boots would be redundant.
"Be careful Krookodile, Flygon won't be easy to handle," Kyra warned, making sure she kept an eye on Flygon at all times.
Krookodile nodded and he too began keeping a watchful eye on Flygon, not wanting to let him out of his sight.
"You're right to be careful. Flygon, use Dragon Dance," Drayden called, making Kyra and Krookodile worry even more.
Dragon Dance not only boosted Attack, it also boosted Speed. It was a risk, but Kyra had to try and make use of Moxie whilst she still could.
"Krookodile, I know this is risky, but I want you to use Dig then Dragon Claw," Kyra said, hoping that having Krookodile attack from below would help.
Krookodile borrowed his way underground and began powering up his Dragon Claw to give it as much power as possible.
To Kyra's relief, Drayden didn't make a call for Earthquake. Maybe dealing with a Dragon Dancing Flygon wasn't the end of the world after all.
As Krookodile began to get ready to land his attack from below, Flygon got ready to land an attack of his own.
Before Krookodile could even go to land his Dragon Claw, Flygon had gone to use Dragon Tail and had flung Krookodile over towards Kyra.
Dragon Tail had hit so fast and hard that Krookodile hadn't had chance of withstanding the attack. She thanked Krookodile and returned him to his pokéball.
Now came the decision of which Kyra would be using as her next pokémon. Originally she had planned on using Samurott next and then Deerly against Drayden's ace. But now that Flygon was out instead of Fraxure, that made things different.
Eventually she made her decision and she sent Deerly out, deciding that using Deerly's Grass Typing would help counter Flygon's Ground Typing.
"Interesting, you took a while trying to think of which pokémon was best to use next. I was right in thinking that sending out Flygon would fool you," Drayden commented, pleased his strategy had worked.
Although Kyra didn't want to admit she had been stumped for an idea, it had been rather obvious. For now though, she and Deerly needed to focus on taking Flygon out.
"It's best to think clearly, I wouldn't want to make this battle too easy. Deerly, use Energy Ball!" Kyra called, knowing she couldn't let Flygon get in close.
Deerly formed the attack and she sent it towards Flygon, only for Flygon to block it with Dragon Tail. Dragon Dance was being a pain to handle to say the least.
"If you'll attack from afar, then so will we. Use Rock Slide!" Drayden called, he too getting well into the battle at hand.
Rock Slide was not a move Kyra wanted to see. Not only was it powerful, it also had a chance to flinch, something Kyra didn't want to risk happening. Her plan was risky considering Dragon Dance had set up, but it was worth it. "Deerly, use those rocks then use Jump Kick."
Deerly followed her trainers call and she used her speed and balance to jump in between the falling rocks of Rock Slide so she could get to a high enough point to land a Jump Kick.
Drayden and Flygon were so taken aback by what they had seen that they didn't have chance to react before Jump Kick hit. Never before had Drayden seen Rock Slide be used against him like that.
Deerly stayed in close and waited for another call from Kyra. Both had worked out that battling solely close range was their only shot, it wasn't like their normal battle style, but they had no other choice. "Use Horn Leech followed up with Megahorn!"
As her trainer had asked, Deerly made her two attacks. The combination of Horn Leech and Megahorn's power was enough to knock Flygon out of the air.
Kyra didn't want to run the risk of Flygon still being able to battle. She wanted to call for Deerly to attack again just to see what Flygon would do, Energy Ball was the safest call to make.
"Not so fast. Use Earth Power!" Drayden called. He knew that Flygon wouldn't withstand another Energy Ball hit, despite that however, he would be able to send one last attack towards Deerly.
As Energy Ball and Earth Power hit their targets, both pokémon were hit hard. Flygon went down as expected whilst Deerly was hit with the secondary effect of having her Special Defense dropped.
"Thanks Deerly, you battled well, take a nice rest," Kyra thanked, deciding it was best to give a Deerly a break just in case she was needed later.
Drayden had also returned Flygon to his pokéball now and had his ace's pokéball at the ready. This pokémon worried Kyra perhaps even more than Flygon. Even Exacdrill who had resisted all the attacks had been taken down.
The two trainers sent their pokémon out at the same time, Samurott verses Haxourus. Kyra got her pokédex once more to find out all she could about her opponent, not wanting to take any risks.
"Haxorus, the Axe Jaw pokémon, a Dragon Type. Although kind hearted, there pokémon show no restraint when it comes to protecting their trainer or friends from harm. Haxorus are very territorial and challenge opponents with their tusks which can cut through steel."
As long as Samurott was careful, Haxorus shouldn't be too much of a challenge...within theory. The combination of using Aqua Jet and Megahorn as an attack and as protection was smart should Dragon Dance be set up again, whilst Revenge would come in handy should Samurott be able to withstand a powerful attack.
"Alright Samurott, start this off with Razor Shell," Kyra said, playing it safe by attempting to lure Drayden into a false sense of security.
Samurott bounded over to Haxourus with a Razor Shell at the ready, the call Drayden made for X-Scissor not coming as a surprise.
Haxorus used X-Scissor to block Samurott's swipe with Razor Shell. Little did he realise that Samurott could use both of his scalchops. Samurott made another attack before Haxorus had chance to block again, a successful lure.
"Not bad. It's impressive to see a Samurott attack with both scalchops ad yours did. Let's see how you'll handle this though, use Dragon Claw!" Drayden called, he couldn't pull out any stops now. He needed to get Samurott away to set up a Dragon Dance and soon.
"Quick, use Aqua Jet!" Kyra called in reply.
The torrent of water formed around Samurott and absorbed most of Dragon Claw's power. Samurott knew that being in this close with no run up was a battle he couldn't win, so he took the easy way out and leapt over towards Kyra to get a better grounding.
Although that allowed time for Dragon Dance to be set up, Kyra and Samurott were much less worried this time. Revenge would definitely come in handy now.
"Alright Haxorus, now use Slash followed up with Dragon Claw," Drayden said, assuming he was about to reclaim control over the battle.
As Haxorus sped over, neither Kyra nor Samurott reacted. Drayden at first took it to mean Kyra was stumped for a plan once again...but then he caught sight of her smile. He had fallen right into her trap. She had wanted him to use Dragon Dance. It was too late to call Haxorus off of his attack now, Drayden's only hope was that Haxorus could take what was heading his way.
Samurott skidded slightly as he was hit with Slash and Dragon Claw, still remaining standing and ready to continue battling. This was the call the two had been hoping to make all along.
"Thanks for that, we'll be taking advantage of that power. Use Revenge!" Kyra called, enjoying seeing the worry and concern on Drayden's face.
The orange glow of Revenge powering up surrounded Samurott and the burst of energy filled the room as he released his attack.
Haxorus was flung over to Drayden and he lay still for a few seconds.
But the battle wasn't over yet.
Just as the referee was about to call the match as over, Haxorus began to claw his way back onto his feet, beckoning Samurott to continue fighting.
"Are you sure you can still battle? That Revenge was a powerful hit," Drayden asked, worried that Haxorus was pushing himself too far.
Haxorus nodded and waited for someone to make the next call.
"Fine by us. Samurott, use Aqua Jet and Megahorn!" Kyra called, a slightly overkill strategy, but a surefire way to make sure Megahorn had less chance of missing its target.
Samurott surrounded himself in a cloak of water once more and he leapt towards Haxorus, forming a Megahorn as he got close.
"Haxorus, block with X-Scissor again," Drayden replied, hoping X-Scissor would be enough.
The two attacks clashed and met a stalemate. Neither one was willing to give an inch and neither one was willing to give up.
The tension on the field could easily be cut with a knife, as much as the pokémon were determined, the trainers were to an extent more so determined. Kyra was battling her all to earn her final Unova Gym Badge whilst Drayden was battling to retain his toughness as the eighth Gym Leader.
"Now Samurott, use Razor Shell!" Kyra called, she had noticed Samurott's paws were close enough to his scalchops so that he would be able to land another attack. It was now or never.
Samurott swung another Razor Shell at his target and he flung Haxorus back once more. Only this time, Haxorus was defeated and Samurott walked back over to his trainer.
"That was great Samurott, well done," Kyra praised, scratching under his chin which she now knew to be his favourite spot.
"Thanks for letting me battle, I really enjoyed myself. That Haxorus sure wasn't giving up, I'm so happy we won," Samurott replied, purring as Kyra continued to praise him.
Drayden was pleased to see the bond between Kyra and her pokémon, his predictions about Kyra had been exactly right. He thanked Haxorus and returned him to his pokéball before going over to get Kyra's well earned Gym Badge.
Samurott was happy with the attention he received and Kyra returned him to his pokéball, gratefully accepting the Legend Badge. Eight Unova Gym Badges. Not much could beat the feeling of sheer joy that overcame her when she collected the eight Gym Badges of a Region. All eight shiny badges beaming up at her, it was as if she could see the reflection of what she and her pokémon had worked for together in the shine of them.
Kyra walked back over to the sidelines and let Willow go over to battle. Lucario was just as pleased as her trainer for having won the Legend Badge.
As Drayden had done with Nate and Kyra, Willow's battle was a three on three. Drayden used Druddigon, Fraxure, and Haxorus, the same team he had against Nate. Willow countered the trio with her newly evolved Chandelure, Liepard, and Musharna. Having seen and learnt from watching Kyra and Nate's battles, Willow seemed to have a much easier time, only having had Musharna faint as she took out Fraxure with a Future Sight.
Now all there was left for the trio in Unova was to take on the League.
Or at least, that's what they thought...