Gladion looked around the circle. For all their strange personalities, every Pokémon was here because they cared about Riolu and Frogadier.
That made Gladion smile. He stepped forward.
Both Riolu and Frogadier immediately turned their attention toward him.
Gladion's expression became more serious.
"I have watched both of you train from the beginning. I remember when Frogadier was still a small Froakie who barely understood what was happening around him. You have grown from that frightened little Pokémon into someone who can stand beside some of the strongest members of this team."
Frogadier's expression softened. Gladion continued, "Frogadier, I have never forgotten that you chose to stay with me when you had the chance to return to your family. I want you to know that choice has never been forgotten. I have given you the choice of going back to your family or staying with us, and that choice still stands. You never have to remain here simply because you think you owe me something."
Frogadier shook his head firmly. He stepped forward. [This is my family now.]
Gladion smiled. "I was hoping you would say that."
He then turned toward Riolu. "Riolu, your story with me has been different. You joined me as a reward for my work with the Aura Guardians, but you quickly became one of the most loyal Pokémon I have ever had. You have trained harder than I ever asked you to."
Riolu stood straighter. Gladion placed a hand over his chest.
"I know how loyal you are, and I hope I have done my best to train you. I do not know whether I have always made the right choices, but everything I have taught you was meant to make you stronger and help you survive the battles ahead."
Riolu nodded firmly. Gladion stepped backward.
"Today is not about proving which one of you is better. It is about showing yourselves how far you have come."
The two Pokémon moved into position.
Gladion smiled. "And now, I will leave the official introduction and final speech to Guy."
Guy stepped forward immediately. His eyes burned with determination.
He raised all four fists toward the sky. [Today, two young warriors stand before us at the edge of evolution. One has mastered the art of moving like water, while the other has learned to fight with the spirit of Aura. They have trained through sweat, exhaustion, pain.]
Guy continued proudly. [They have endured hundreds of push ups, endless running, and training sessions so difficult that several of our teammates have considered moving to another continent. Yet they continued. That is the power of youth.]
Gladion covered his face. "Why do I feel like you are about to make this much longer than necessary?"
Guy raised his fist higher. [Because youth cannot be contained by unnecessary time limits.]
Lee began cheering. [Go Guy-Sensei!]
Guy's voice became even louder. [Today, they shall fight not because they hate one another, but because true rivals make each other stronger. Let their battle shake the earth. Let their determination burn brighter than the sun. Let their spirits rise beyond their current limits and reach the next stage of their journey.]
He pointed toward Riolu and Frogadier.
[Now, young warriors, show us the power of your youth and fight until your bodies can no longer move.]
Gladion shook his head before looking toward the two Pokémon. His expression became serious again.
"All right. Both of you know the rules. Give everything you have, but do not intentionally cause permanent harm. This is a battle between teammates, not a fight to the death."
Riolu lowered himself into a fighting stance.
Frogadier crouched slightly. Both stared at each other.
Gladion raised his hand. "Battle start."
The instant the words left his mouth, both Pokémon moved.
Frogadier jumped toward the nearest tree at incredible speed.
Riolu did the same from the opposite side.
Within seconds, both Pokémon were moving through the trees surrounding the training field, using the branches and shadows to hide their positions.
Both Pokémon moved through the trees without making a sound.
Frogadier crouched on one branch, his eyes fixed on the forest ahead, while Riolu remained hidden somewhere among the thick leaves several dozen meters away.
Neither of them could see the other clearly anymore.
The other Pokémon watched from the edge of the training area, their attention completely focused on the forest. Gladion stood among them with his arms folded, studying every movement he could detect.
[They are already treating this like a real hunt.] Ultron observed calmly, his red eyes following the faint movements of both fighters. [Neither one is willing to reveal his position without a reason.]
Hydros looked toward the forest with an excited expression. [I told you Frogadier would use his speed and patience. He has always been good at finding ways to annoy his opponent before attacking.]
Lee, meanwhile, cracked his knuckles with an eager grin. [I do not care who wins as long as they stop hiding and start beating each other properly.]
Gladion glanced at him and sighed. "Lee, please remember that this is a training battle between two of your teammates. You do not have to sound like you are waiting for a war to begin."
Inside the forest, Frogadier finally moved.
His body blurred between the branches as he jumped from one tree to another. He suddenly turned his head toward Riolu's hiding place and opened his mouth.
'Bubble Beam'
A stream of bubbles shot through the forest at incredible speed.
Riolu reacted instantly. He jumped away from the branch just as the Bubble Beam struck it.
The wooden trunk exploded apart under the force of the attack.
Riolu landed on another tree, barely keeping his balance before another stream of bubbles came toward him. He jumped again, twisting his body through the air as the attack destroyed another section of the tree behind him.
[Frogadier has started testing his movement options.] Ultron explained while watching the battle. [He is forcing Riolu to keep moving while preventing him from choosing a stable position.]
Gladion nodded. "That is exactly what I expected from him. Frogadier knows Riolu is dangerous at close range, so he is trying to control the distance."
-----Author Notes------
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