As the dragon-energy wyvern dove into Izoni, Josh gasped at seeing the largest amount of damage he had ever seen dealt in a single attack. "Izoni!!" he cried, watching in horror for a few seconds as the Ultra Beast bled. The damage dealt was over triple the stinging Pokémon's maximum HP. Were this a more realistic game, Josh's precious Poison-type would have died on the spot. Instead, its model disintegrated as an ((( OVERKILL ))) marker floated above it, the Pokémon safely appearing back inside Josh's Poké Ball.

Nitro, empowered by being alone on the battlefield, lowered his horns and rammed Giyun, his goal to BULLDOZE the steel-type's supports out from underneath him. The Skiddo would likely be able to shrug off the SOLAR BEAM, but not an attack the hulking spire could. Perhaps he could get in multiple charges; that Z-MOVE: DEVASTATING DRAKE had to have a massive cooldown, right?

Even after the huge loss, Josh's focus did not waver. Did he really think he could still win this one?

Though Nitro stood alone, he was far from ready to give in; the Skiddo defiantly returned Giyun's taunt with a stare, his muscles growing via BULK UP. The brave, and perhaps foolhardy, Pokémon charged the Duraludon like a jousting knight, looking to slam his hooves into the steel-type.

The very nature of its close-combat attacks forced him into range of the METAL CLAW... which flung him right into the center of the column of solar energy. Nitro's mane wilted an unhealthy yellow as he did his best to fight through the searing burns from the overload of solar energy... but could no longer stand.

Once his last Pokémon's hit points had been reduced to zero, a translucent results screen overiaid atop his vision, with a big, red LOSE in the center. "Arceus, Alicia, you were in control the entire time, from wire to wire," Josh sighed in exasperation, not even getting to see her entire roster. "I might need to burn some of my PTO just to grind this game to catch back up to you."

Josh had been in the Arena before, and he knew of safety protocols in PVP matches. By the time he could answer that question, the two had already been whisked back to the Arena's lobby. Obliging, he pulled up his main menu and selected the Pokémon status submenu. All of his Pokémon were at full health, like nothing had ever happened. "It's okay! At the end of an Arena battle, all the Pokémon are healed to full health," Josh reminded the distressed Gardener. "It's why I wanted to battle you here and not in the field."

That Z-Move was a huge incentive to pick up some fourth-tier move upgrades. Such power would be helpful before the next raid. Once he got the BYTES to change his appearance, he would have to decide how to budget the small fortune. In the meantime, though, he had to keep saving to do what he wanted to do. "Thanks for the match. I'm sure we'll meet in the Arena again. For now... I think I'm actually gonna log out for the night. See you soon!"

With that, the scout vanished in a blip of white light...