All of Gladion's main team Pokémon stood in a wide circle inside the gym ranch, with Gladion standing in the middle of them.
The atmosphere was unusually serious. At least, it was supposed to be serious.
Gladion looked around at his Pokémon and immediately realized that several of them were treating the situation more like a gambling event than an important moment in the growth of two of their teammates.
Drapion had positioned itself beside Abomasnow, while Collosus stood behind them like a giant wall. Ultron hovered slightly above the ground, his red eyes glowing as he studied the two Pokémon standing in the center of the circle.
Riolu and Frogadier stood opposite each other.
Both had been with Gladion for a long time.
Both had grown considerably. And both were finally ready to evolve.
However, Gladion had decided that their evolution should not simply happen during ordinary training. He wanted them to earn it through a battle that would show just how far they had come.
Gladion looked at the two Pokémon and allowed himself a small smile. 'It feels like yesterday that I got both of them.'
His eyes settled on Frogadier first.
He remembered the small Froakie he had rescued from a smuggling operation involving a corrupt mayor and members of Team Aqua.
The Pokémon had originally been stolen and was being transported as part of an illegal deal. Gladion had destroyed the operation and taken Froakie with him.
'He has changed so much since then.'
His attention shifted toward Riolu. Riolu had entered his life under completely different circumstances. Gladion had received him as a reward after joining the Aura Guardians Corps, and from the beginning, the young Fighting type had shown an incredible level of loyalty.
Frogadier suddenly looked toward Riolu with a confident expression.
Riolu responded with a determined stare. The tension between them immediately returned.
A loud clicking sound came from Drapion.
[If anyone wants to place a serious bet, I am putting my money on Frogadier. He has range, speed, and the advantage of being a Water type.]
Abomasnow looked at Drapion with mild disbelief.
[You are betting on type advantage that is not even an advantage.?Fighting types are not weak to water types.]
Drapion moved one claw toward Abomasnow. [It is called making an educated decision. Besides, I have watched Frogadier fight. He is fast enough to stay away from Riolu while attacking from a distance.]
Abomasnow slowly nodded.
[That is a reasonable argument, but you are forgetting something important. Riolu has been training his Aura and he also has physically trained under Guy, you should not underestimate his physical prowess.]
Guy immediately leaned forward.
The Machamp's eyes practically sparkled with excitement. [I am not interested in your boring calculations. I want to see them punch each other until one of them realizes that youth has no limits.]
Gladion rubbed his forehead."Please do not encourage them to break every bone in each other's bodies."
Guy raised all four fists proudly. [I would never encourage something so irresponsible. I would simply encourage them to break their own limits while accidentally breaking several other things.]
Gladion stared at him. "I am beginning to regret making you responsible fo everyone's physical training."
Guy placed one hand against his chest.
[Those words wound me deeply, Gladion. I have given these young warriors the gift of pain, discipline, and several hundred push ups.]
The Pokémon around them groaned. Frogadier looked particularly annoyed. Riolu's ears lowered.
Gladion laughed. "That is exactly why everyone looks terrified whenever you say you are going to train them."
Nearby, Ultron's red eyes flashed. The Metagross had apparently been calculating the battle since the moment Gladion announced it.
[Based on their previous battles, current physical condition, movement speed, known techniques, endurance, and previous training results, I estimate that Riolu has a fifty three percent chance of victory.]
Everyone looked toward Ultron. Drapion immediately raised one claw.
[Why only fifty three percent? That is barely better than guessing.]
Ultron's eyes flashed again. [I am not guessing. I have calculated more than twelve thousand possible battle patterns.]
Drapion stared at him. [That sounds suspiciously like guessing twelve thousand times.]
Ultron remained completely silent. Gladion could almost imagine the Metagross deciding whether arguing with Drapion was worth the processing power.
Hydros, his Blastoise, stepped forward.
The massive Water type crossed his arms and looked toward Frogadier.
[I am placing my bet on Frogadier. He is a Water type, and Water types should support other Water types. It is simply good manners.]
Frogadier proudly pointed toward Hydros. Hydros nodded.
[You have my full support. Make sure you remind that Fighting type that Water Pokémon are not easy targets.] Hydros said.
Riolu looked at Hydros. He smiled and then he pointed toward himself. Riolu clearly had something to say.
Gladion translated his expression easily.
"Riolu says that being a Water type will not help Frogadier if he cannot land an attack."
Hydros's eyes narrowed. [That is a bold statement from someone who still needs help reaching the kitchen shelves.]
Riolu immediately looked offended.
Frogadier laughed.
The tension between them disappeared for a moment. Then Lee stepped forward.
The Annihilape's eyes were wide with barely contained excitement. He clenched his fists.
[I do not care who wins. I want them to fight until they discover the true meaning of rage.]
Gladion looked at him. "That is somehow even worse than Guy."
Lee pointed toward the battlefield. [I simply want to see their passion.]
Guy nodded proudly. [Finally, someone understands youth.]
Lee and Guy immediately bumped fists.
Gladion sighed. 'This is supposed to be a serious evolution battle.'
A loud roar suddenly interrupted them. Zeus and Arsenal had started arguing.
The Electivire pointed toward Frogadier while Magmortar pointed toward Riolu.
[You clearly do not understand battle strategy if you think Frogadier will win.]
[And you clearly have no idea what you are talking about if you think Riolu can keep up with Frogadier's speed.]
Their argument quickly became louder.
Then Zeus pushed Arsenal.
Arsenal responded by firing a small burst of flame toward the ground. Zeus answered with a burst of electricity.
The two Pokémon immediately began fighting in the middle of the group.
Before either could escalate further, Collosus released a thunderous roar.
The Alpha Tyranitar's voice shook everything in a kilometres range.
Both Zeus and Arsenal froze. Collosus slowly looked at them. [If you two are going to fight, do it after the battle. I refuse to watch two grown Pokémon behave like children while our younger teammates are preparing for an important fight.]
Zeus lowered his head. Arsenal did the same.
Gladion smiled. "Thank you, Collosus."
The Tyranitar nodded proudly. [Someone has to maintain order around here.]
-----Author Notes------
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