The white light finally began to fade, revealing the two Pokémon standing in the middle of the ruined training ground.
Gladion's eyes widened with happiness as he looked at them.
Riolu was gone. In his place stood a tall, blue and black Pokémon with sharp features, pointed ears, and red eyes that seemed to carry a completely different level of confidence.
Lucario stood with his paws clenched, his body still covered in a few scratches from the battle he had fought before evolving.
Beside him stood Greninja.
The newly evolved Water and Dark type looked almost like a completely different fighter compared to the Frogadier from moments ago.
His body was taller and more athletic, while the long tongue around his neck moved slightly in the wind. His eyes were narrow as he studied Lucario.
Gladion could not help but smile. "Look at the two of you. You both managed to evolve at exactly the same time, and somehow you both look even more ready to fight than you did before. I have to admit, Lucario and Greninja are two of the coolest Pokémon I could have asked for."
Lucario looked down at his new body before flexing his arms and examining his paws. [I can feel the difference, Master. My body feels lighter, but there is much more power inside it than before. It feels like everything I learned as a Riolu is finally fitting together.]
Greninja quietly stretched his arms before performing a quick flip and landing perfectly on one hand. [I understand what you mean. Everything around me seems slower now, and I can feel the water inside my body moving with greater strength. I think I could fight much longer than I could before.]
Hydros immediately waddled closer, looking at the two newly evolved Pokémon with an approving expression. [I have to admit that both of you look impressive. Greninja, you somehow might have become even more annoying to hit, while Lucario looks like he could punch a mountain.]
Lucario glanced at Hydros with amusement. [I appreciate the complimen.]
Lee's eyes were practically shining as he stared at the two fighters. [This is incredible! They have both become stronger, faster, and more terrifying! Gladion, I strongly recommend allowing them to continue fighting because I want to see what happens when they stop holding back.]
Gladion gave him a suspicious look. "I knew you were going to say that."
Lee placed his fists against his waist. [Of course I was going to say that. Watching two newly evolved Pokémon discover their strength is an important part of training, and I am also extremely interested in seeing whether either of them can knock the other unconscious.]
Collosus gave a deep growl from behind him. [You should not encourage every fight simply because you enjoy watching things get destroyed.]
Lee looked toward the Alpha Tyranitar and nodded seriously. [I understand your concern, but I believe you are underestimating how entertaining this particular fight could become.]
Gladion sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Everyone seems to have forgotten that we just finished a battle between these two, but judging from their expressions, I suppose the fighters themselves are not interested in stopping."
Lucario and Greninja had already returned to their positions.
The evolution had restored a surprising amount of their energy.
They were still injured from their previous battle, but neither seemed willing to leave without testing their new bodies.
Gladion looked between them. "You two really want to continue, don't you?"
Lucario nodded.
Greninja lowered his stance.
Gladion smiled. "Fine. We will treat this as a test of your new forms. Do not try to seriously injure each other, and stop immediately if either of you reaches your limit. I want to see what you can do, not send you back to the healing room."
Both Pokémon nodded.
Ultron floated slightly higher. [Based on their physical changes, I estimate that their speed and combat ability have increased substantially. I recommend paying close attention to their first exchange.]
Gladion nodded. "I was planning on doing exactly that."
Greninja moved first. His body vanished.
Gladion's eyes widened. "That speed..."
Greninja appeared beside Lucario and swung his arm.
Lucario barely managed to raise his forearm in time. The impact forced him several meters backward.
However, Lucario immediately recovered and planted his feet into the ground.
'Extreme Speed'
Lucario disappeared.
A blue blur crossed the battlefield.
Greninja's eyes widened as Lucario appeared directly in front of him and struck with a powerful punch.
Greninja crossed both arms and blocked the attack, but the impact sent him sliding backward across the ground.
He immediately jumped. Lucario followed.
The two Pokémon moved so quickly that several of the watching Pokémon struggled to follow them.
Greninja landed on a tree. Lucario landed on another.
For a moment, they stared at each other from opposite sides of the training ground.
Then Greninja raised both hands.
'Water Shuriken'
Several spinning blades of water formed around his hands. He threw them one after another.
The shurikens crossed the battlefield at incredible speed.
Lucario dodged the first. He ducked beneath the second. The third passed over his shoulder. The fourth struck the ground beside him.
Lucario suddenly rushed forward. He moved through the gaps between the Water Shuriken before Greninja could throw another.
Greninja immediately created a Substitute. A copy of his body appeared in front of him.
Lucario's attack struck the Substitute. The clone exploded into water.
Greninja used the opening to leap behind Lucario.
'Hydro Pump'
A massive stream of water erupted from Greninja's hands.
Lucario turned just in time. He crossed his arms and released an Aura Sphere directly into the incoming attack.
The two forces collided.
Water exploded outward as blue energy and pressurized water fought against each other.
The blast shook the training ground. Gladion shielded his face from the spray.
"That was already stronger than anything they were doing before they evolved."
Ultron immediately analyzed the exchange. [Greninja's Hydro Pump has considerably greater force than his previous attacks. Lucario's newly learned Aura Sphere is bigger in size and density than what most of the other Lucarios could do.]
Lucario suddenly broke through the remaining water. His body was soaked, but he did not slow down.
'Close Combat'
He charged. Greninja responded by creating another Substitute.
Lucario smashed through the copy with a powerful strike. Greninja had already moved.
He appeared above Lucario.
'Water Pulse'
A compressed sphere of water formed between his hands before being fired downward.
Lucario jumped aside. The Water Pulse struck the ground. The impact created a large crater.
Lucario landed several meters away. He immediately raised one paw. A massive Aura Sphere began forming on top of it. This one continued growing.
It became larger than Lucario's own body.
The other Pokémon stared.
Lucario threw the massive Aura Sphere.
Greninja responded immediately.
"Water Pulse!"
A huge spinning sphere of water formed before him. He launched it forward.
The two attacks collided in the center of the battlefield. For several seconds, neither attack moved.
Water crashed against aura energy.
The ground beneath them began cracking from the pressure. The two attacks finally exploded.
A massive wave of water and blue energy rushed in every direction.
The Pokémon watching the fight were forced to brace themselves.
Collosus planted his feet firmly.
Guy grabbed onto a nearby rock. [This is wonderful! The youth of these two warriors is creating enough energy to destroy the scenery around us!]
Collosus growled. [You are supposed to be worried about the scenery.]
Guy looked at the broken trees around them.
[It appears the scenery has already accepted its fate.]
Gladion shook his head.
Greninja emerged from the mist first. He immediately threw another Water Shuriken.
Lucario deflected it with metal claw.
Greninja followed with another. Then before they could continue. Gladion raised his hand. "That is enough."
Both Pokémon looked toward him.
Gladion smiled. "You have both shown me enough. Neither of you managed to gain a clear advantage, and considering how much stronger you became after evolving, I think continuing would only leave both of you injured."
Lucario lowered his fists. Greninja relaxed his stance.
Gladion looked between them before giving his final decision.
"I declare this battle a draw. You both fought brilliantly, and neither of you gave the other a chance to dominate the fight. More importantly, you both proved that your new forms are going to be a huge part of my team from now on."
-----Author Notes------
Y'all can read 23 extra chapters on my pat*reon.
https://pat reon.com/mrmime24
[No Space in pat*reon]
Thankyou for your support!