The Light of Evolution
The sky exploded with light.
Wind spiraled violently across the arena.
Clouds shattered as energy surged between
Aero
and his partner—
Staraptor
The bond between them ignited.
Transformed.
Evolved.
From the light—
A new presence was born.
Larger wings.
Sharper aura.
Eyes glowing with overwhelming intensity.
Mega Staraptor
The moment it appeared—
The wind bent.
The sky obeyed.
Standing across the battlefield—
Elior felt it instantly.
"…This is…"
Not just power.
Not just speed.
Something deeper.
Complete synchronization.
Elior exhaled slowly.
"…Then we go beyond too."
Behind him—
Skyrend spread its wings.
Exhausted.
But ready.
"Let's go!"
Both trainers moved at the same time.
"Brave Storm!"
Aero's command echoed.
Mega Staraptor moved—
Not like before.
Faster.
Sharper.
Unavoidable.
"Skyrend—ride it!"
Instead of dodging—
Skyrend entered the storm.
Wind tore at its wings—
But it pushed through.
For a brief moment—
They matched.
Strike for strike.
Speed for speed.
The sky split with every collision.
Breaking Point
But slowly—
The difference appeared.
Skyrend's movements—
Began to slow.
Its wings—
Heavy.
Damaged.
Mega Staraptor—
Unchanged.
Unstoppable.
Elior Pushes Further
"…Not yet!"
Elior stepped forward.
"Skyrend—one more!"
Skyrend roared—
Gathering everything it had left.
"Aerial Break!"
A full-power attack—
All strength.
All trust.
Everything in one strike.
Aero's Calm
Aero didn't move.
Didn't panic.
"…End it."
Mega Staraptor descended—
Like a falling star.
"Sky Dominion."
The ultimate strike.
BOOM—
The entire sky shook.
Wind exploded outward in all directions.
Platforms shattered.
Clouds vanished.
Silence
Then—
Everything went still.
Skyrend fell from the sky—
Landing hard on the platform.
It tried to stand.
Tried—
But couldn't.
Mega Staraptor landed smoothly.
Unshaken.
Unchallenged.
The signal appeared slowly:
WINNER — AERO
Elior's Reaction
Silence.
No shouting.
No anger.
Elior stood still.
Looking at Skyrend.
"…We lost…"
Skyrend struggled to move.
Even after defeat.
Still trying.
Elior walked forward slowly.
"…That's enough."
He placed his hand on its head.
"…You did everything."
Elior looked up—
At Aero.
"…So this is your level…"
Aero didn't smile.
Didn't celebrate.
He simply nodded.
"You reached far."
A pause.
"But not far enough."
Elior closed his eyes briefly.
Then—
Smiled.
"…Next time…"
He looked up again.
His eyes sharper than ever.
"I'll surpass you."
A faint smile appeared.
"…I'll be waiting."
The Sky Clears
The wind slowly calmed.
The clouds returned.
The battle was over.
But something had changed.
Far away—
Hidden in darkness—
Umbrael watched the battle's end.
His eyes fixed on—
Lunashade
"…Even in defeat…"
A pause.
"…the resonance grows."
A dark smile formed.
"It's almost time."
Elior stood at the edge of the platform.
Wind brushing past him.
Not defeated.
Not broken.
Just—
Determined.
And the journey continues...