With Nemo and Colza Liko and Roy arrive in Artazon and meet Champion-ranked trainer Nemona, who is concerned that Brassius has been recently neglecting his duties as the town's Gym Leader. They learn that Brassius is suffering from an artistic slump that began when he saw the black Rayquaza after making a sculpture of one, causing him to consider his artwork inferior. However, Roy is deeply moved by the sculpture, motivating Brassius to test his resolve with a battle. Although Fuecoco learns Stomping Tantrum to gain an advantage, it loses to Brassius's Terastalized Sudowoodo. Satisfied, Brassius shows the trio a sculpture he carved of an Arboliva in the forest where he saw Rayquaza, noting its resonance with the legendary Pokémon.