For as much as Gavin hated the League, Kyle Lopez had yet to give Gavin a direct reason to hate him. His existence as the region's champion was a damn nuisance, but the man himself was — acceptable.

So 'Liam' follows amicably enough, nods to the question.

"Fine by me, mate."

He throws his own Pokemon out at the same time. There's a weird twinge in his gut at the sight of the Lucario that doesn't reflect in his expression, sunglasses adequate in concealing a squint. Why was it always Lucario?

His Dracozolt grins stupidly at its opponent as electricity CHARGES around it.

Gavin cants his head, impressed by Lucario's ingenuity.

Dracozolt, peppered with shards of molten glass, seems far less amused by its foe. It snarls as its focus is lost, DISCHARGING the electricity it had been storing up in a brilliant, blinding flash.

Gavin scrunches up his expression.

"Sorry about them, they're new to the team."

Does it?

Uncertain of whether Kyle is being polite or honest, Gavin doesn't question it aloud. He leans toward the former only because Lopez is the region's champion.

Dracozolt is smug, assuming its opponent blinded, and is quite comically blindsided by the sphere of energy that homes in on its aura. It chatters angrily with a buzzing hum behind its 'words' that sounds a lot like thrumming electricity.

In retaliation, it calls upon some ANCIENT POWER to turn sand back into rocks, then flings them toward the dog.

---

Use a NVE move - complete!

Evidently more comfortable at a distance, the cumbersome legs of the fossil Pokemon awkwardly maneuver in an attempt to retreat. Lucario's easily able to close the gap between itself and the pitiful creature whose existence was a smear on the Galarian science community.

It shrieks its displeasure, then snaps its beak at the other in an attempt to PLUCK at whatever it can reach.

Gavin, equally ignorant as to the reason for the spike's existence, is nevertheless grateful for its existence as it provides a perfect grappling point for Dracozolt's beak.

Meteors mash painfully against the fossil's hide, its face, but it does not let go. Its BEAK charges with BOLTS of electricity as it chomps down harder, determined.

Gavin watches, impassive but ready to call it off if it goes too far.

Dracozolt fumbles back from Lucario's kick with an offended noise somewhere between a squawk and a growl. Gavin grins slightly as he watches the exchange.

"Clever."

He supposes that's expected from a champion.

With distance between the two Pokemon created, Gavin clicks his tongue twice to signal an attack. Seeing as the rocks had done little and the electricity was countered, the fossil Pokemon aims for a DRAGON PULSE. Red and purple energy swirls in its maw before the beam sizzles toward the offending canine.

Though Gavin's expression remains impassive, he grimaces internally as Lucario charges headlong through the attack. That couldn't be good.

He sees the bone in Lucario's hand as the swirling dragon pulse fades. The click of his tongue comes late.

The first attack connects, but for once the Frankenstein creature's bulky frame comes in handy. It wobbles but doesn't lose its balance, lashes out with its beak to PLUCK the bone from Lucario's grip. If the canine holds on, Dracozolt shakes its head much like a dog might, trying to force it to let go.

Gavin laughs, shaking his head. His Pokemon is on its last legs, but at least it put up an amusing fight.