Gavin recognizes the gym leader, having participated in an aerial race for his badge, but holds back any hint of familiarity. To Liam King, Alexei Ivanov is a stranger.

He smiles in false friendliness, waves.

"Good luck t'ya."

He lets his opponent make the first move.

Where Alexei Ivanov seeks to divide and conquer, Gavin whistles and clicks to instruct his team to focus their fire.

"Setup, first," is the only verbal cue given.

Though it seems bashful under the influence of Sylveon's sweet gaze, Frosmoth obeys by setting up a TAILWIND behind their side of the field. The breeze ruffles Gavin's hair, pleasant under the baking Hoenn sun.

Blasted with ice, the Lycanroc lunges for the Glaceon with a FIERY PUNCH.

Lucario seems to DETECT an incoming psychic assault, leaping clear of the rainbow-coloured burst.

"Defend!"

As the dazzling lights threaten, a WIDE GUARD shimmers to block the worst of the glare and protect their team. Frosmoth continues to flutter in place.

Lycanroc, frustrated by the elusive Glaceon, immediately elects to use its Z-MOVE. Energy swirls violently around it before SPLINTERED STORMSHARDS of rock erupt from the earth to assault the poor ice-type.

Lucario lunges for Sylveon with a DRAINING PUNCH.

One down, two to go.

Lycanroc lets out a hair-raising cackle as the Glaceon falls, though both sound and celebration are cut short when it's assaulted in return. It glowers at its assailants and seemingly can't decide which one to target, for it proceed to shatter the pills of stone into a ROCK SLIDE that aims for them both.

Lucario targets its fellow canine with a HEAL PULSE to offset its injuries.

Frosmoth is the only one Gavin decides to instruct directly, clicking his tongue and gesturing for the Espeon. Like an INFESTATION, sickly green energy would try to swirl around the psychic-type.

Lycanroc growls as Sylveon's teeth find purchase in its rocky fur. Taught to PLAY ROUGH, it twists violently to throw the smaller Pokemon across the beach.

Frosmoth sets them up with a REFLECT as Lucario takes pointers from its fellow canine, PLAYING ROUGH with the Espeon instead.

Gavin lights up a smoke from across the battlefield, making a face as the breeze scatters ash back toward him.

Blindsided by a powerful psychic assault, Lucario falls.

With their healer compromised, the battle becomes more intense. Lycanroc shakes off the pain from the Sylveon's attacks but its movements are slower even as it LASHES OUT in return; it's clearly weakening.

Frosmoth remains relatively fresh in comparison, loosing a powerful BLIZZARD toward his foes.

"Guard."

At the sound of his master's voice, the Frosmoth erects a shimmering WIDE GUARD that blocks the harsh effects of the dazzling gleam.

Lycanroc closes in on the Sylveon in CLOSE COMBAT, swiping with its claws even as it stumbles. It's been taught to secure victory or die trying, presses on despite its injuries, but Gavin recalls it with a flick of his wrist.

Frosmoth, undeterred by the fall of its allies, targets Espeon with another INFESTATION.