Icetales' attempts at getting to Maple were met with a seemingly impenetrable wall. Diyem, in his Abyssal form, completely shrugged off the ailments that Icetales attempted to throw at him. His dark eyes glared at Icetales and he flicked a paw in his general direction, and suddenly the very Shadows within Icetales seemed to betray him. They weighed him down like chains.
Diyem used Abyssal Drain on Icetales, reducing his stamina by a significant amount!
"Diyem!" Owen shouted, flaring his wings. "What's going on?!" He was already forming countless Stored Overheats over his shoulders. "Maple!"
Owen called Maple as well!
"Diyem, this is your last warning!" Incineroar said, squeezing his free hand. Black and green hexagons danced around his arm. "If you do not step away, we will be forced to take physical action!"
"You all have so little faith," Diyem said.
"Good. Your feelings of panic and worry only strengthen my power."
Incineroar made a motion like he was going to jump into the fray next, but then a bright glow pierced through Diyem's body as he was curled around where Maple had been. Seconds later, that glow became even stronger, and then pierced out through Diyem's back, leaving a clean hole through his Shadowy body.
Maple used Blinding Ultraburst on Diyem, dealing 1085 damage!
The dragon of light kicked Diyem away, forcing the abyssal god to roll over in pain. He snarled and twisted back onto all fours, but Maple was already on her feet, preparing another blast. Her Smeargle form had been torn asunder; emerged from it was the same form they'd seen in the Tree. The white orb in her chest was healed... but it was also tainted by Shadow.
Maple's vitality bar was full again, but then the screen seemed to flicker and lag out. The sensors were unable to keep up with what was happening in the arena.
"How dare you..." Maple snarled.
"Exactly!" Incineroar said, the hexagons along his arm fading. "Diyem, you do not perform such actions when your opponent is--"
"No." Maple stared with her expressionless eyes at Incineroar.
"How dare YOU... interfere with our duel."
Incineroar stared, too surprised to make a response.
"Did you hear me shout to yield?" Maple snarled.
"We--we couldn't hear anything but your screams."
"And were they to yield?!"
Diyem glanced left and saw his discarded warhammer. With a flick, he tossed it to Maple; rather than grab it, the hammer floated behind her, growing in size. The same happened to Maple's blade over Diyem's shoulder. Both were tinged with their opposite element.
"This match will continue," Maple growled.
"Diyem has yet to show me what he planned."
"We are nearly there. Humor me for one more volley."
"I would like nothing more." Maple crouched down. The hammer split into two copies. It was like she had perfect control over Shadows...
Far in the distance, Joule seemed to be dancing in the air to cheer her on, though he was too far away to hear.
Owen sat back in his seat, shaking from the adrenaline, but he breathed deeply to calm himself. "...Why in public...?" Owen murmured. Diyem wouldn't be one to make a show of this without a reason. Perhaps there still was more to this fight...
