When the dust settled, the figures of Machamp and Keldeo came back into view.
Machamp's full-powered strike had posed a real threat, nearly shattering Keldeo's Aura Sphere. Keldeo now looked at Machamp with newfound respect—this opponent was not to be taken lightly.
Machamp, on the other hand, was gasping heavily, sweat dripping from his brow. That last attack had cost him a great deal of stamina.
After a brief recovery, Machamp launched into another charge. Though his Bulk Up was still active, each movement showed signs of fatigue. Yet every punch he threw carried impressive weight, forcing Keldeo to remain vigilant.
"That's enough, Machamp—stand down," Rex called.
With the effects of Bulk Up fading, continuing the fight would only exhaust Machamp further without challenging Keldeo. Rex stepped in at just the right moment.
"Your turn now, Heracross and Blaziken."
After a quick check with Keldeo for approval, Rex sent out the two eager battlers who had been itching for their shot.
Still riding the high of combat, Keldeo didn't hesitate. It charged in first.
Heracross met him head-on, his gleaming horn colliding with Keldeo's—sounding like blades clashing. The two traded blow for blow, horns sparking as they dueled like seasoned swordsmen.
Meanwhile, Blaziken danced around the perimeter, using Flare Kick to create openings and relieve pressure on Heracross.
As the battle wore on, Rex noticed a faint, flickering glow coming from Keldeo's horn. It pulsed with a dim but rhythmic light, as if something deep within it was awakening.
Keldeo didn't seem to notice. Its eyes burned with excitement as it fought tooth and hoof against the two Pokémon.
Despite holding back its full power to keep things fair, Keldeo's opponents were struggling. Heracross and Blaziken's stamina were fading quickly.
Worse, that promising glow on Keldeo's horn had started to dim—its breakthrough slipping away.
"Machamp—back in!"
Rex had been prepared. He'd already healed Machamp with life energy and fed him a rainbow Pokéblock to restore stamina.
Now, with Heracross and Blaziken on the brink, it was time to push Keldeo further—to help it cross the threshold.
The moment Machamp rejoined the battle, the pressure on Keldeo doubled. The flickering glow on its horn reignited with renewed brilliance.
With Machamp taking the lead in close combat, Heracross and Blaziken flanked, making it impossible for Keldeo to focus on a single target.
Then, suddenly—Blaziken's body burst into flame. Wrapped in orange fire, it launched a reckless Flare Blitz straight into Keldeo, sending the colt flying.
Blaziken staggered back, wincing from the recoil, crouching in pain. Flare Blitz was powerful—but it hurt the user just as much.
Not wasting the chance, Machamp followed up with a thunderous Focus Punch, while Heracross drilled in with a Megahorn, both landing clean hits as Keldeo skidded even farther away.
The combined assault left Keldeo both burned and confused. It stumbled upright, disoriented, flailing blindly.
Realizing something was wrong, Keldeo stopped cold. It shook its head hard, trying to clear the fog.
Machamp and the others held their ground, forming a tight triangle formation, waiting for Keldeo to recover.
Keldeo's breathing was heavy. Flames licked across its coat, the burn still sapping its strength. Yet its eyes blazed brighter than ever.
It looked straight at its opponents, heart pounding—not with fear, but with fervor. It acknowledged them now, not as obstacles, but as equals.
The glow on its horn surged.
Suddenly, Keldeo closed its eyes—as if listening to something deep within.
A radiant light burst from its body.
When it faded, Keldeo had changed.
Its once-smooth horn had grown longer, segmented into a dark blue blade. The fins on its face had become sharp triangles. Vivid rainbow feathers now adorned its crimson mane.
It had achieved its Resolute Form.
Power crackled at the tip of its horn.
Then, in a single, fluid motion, Keldeo turned its head and slashed the air.
A torrent of energy ripped forward from its blade, carving a massive trench through the snow-covered earth—an unmistakable mark of Sacred Sword.
The trio of Fighting-types stared, wide-eyed, sweat pouring from their faces.
If Keldeo had aimed that at them, even Machamp wouldn't have come out unscathed.
"Congratulations, Keldeo. You've mastered Sacred Sword—and awakened your Resolute Form," Rex said, walking up with a smile.
Keldeo still looked dazed. It wasn't quite sure what had just happened, but it knew—without a doubt—that it had finally done it.
And it also knew that none of it would've been possible without Rex's help.