Silence filled the stadium. Only one Pokémon remained on each trainer's side that had yet to battle. For Mira, it was her final and strongest partner. For Elior, Eclipse Lunashade still waited in its Poké Ball.
However...
Elior chose not to switch. He looked at Lucario.
Lucario nodded. The two understood each other without speaking.
Mira slowly raised her final Poké Ball.
The stadium lights reflected from its polished surface. She closed her eyes for a moment.
"Thank you for believing in me..."
Then she threw it high into the air. A brilliant flash of white light illuminated the battlefield. From the light emerged a majestic Pokémon.
Salamence.
Its enormous wings stretched across the battlefield as it let out a thunderous roar.
The shockwave rippled through the stadium. The audience exploded with excitement.
"Salamence! That's Mira's ace!"
The commentators shouted,
"An incredible choice! A fully evolved pseudo-Legendary Pokémon!"
Lucario lowered its stance. Salamence hovered above the battlefield. Neither Pokémon broke eye contact. The referee raised both flags.
"Battle... Begin!"
Mira: "Salamence! Flamethrower!"
A massive stream of fire erupted toward Lucario.
Elior: "Dodge! Then use Aura Sphere!"
Lucario sprang to the side. The flames scorched the battlefield behind it. A glowing Aura Sphere flew toward Salamence.
"Dragon Claw!"
Salamence sliced the Aura Sphere apart in midair. The resulting explosion rocked the arena.
Salamence descended like a jet.
"Zen Headbutt!"
Its head glowed with psychic energy.
Lucario crossed its arms to block.
BOOM!
Lucario slid several meters across the ground. The force of the attack left cracks beneath its feet. The crowd gasped.
"What incredible power!"
Elior pointed forward.
"Meteor Mash!"
Lucario rushed forward. Its fist gleamed like polished steel. Salamence answered with Dragon Claw. The attacks collided.
CRAAASH!
A shockwave swept across the battlefield.
Both Pokémon were forced backward.
Neither gave an inch.
For nearly ten minutes, the two Pokémon exchanged attacks.
Aura Sphere vs. Flamethrower
Meteor Mash vs. Dragon Claw
Bone Rush vs. Air Slash
Each clash shook the stadium. Neither trainer wasted a single command. Every move had a purpose. Every dodge created a new opening. The audience watched in complete awe.
Lucario's breathing became heavier. Salamence also bore numerous injuries. Both Pokémon had reached their limits. Mira clenched her fist.
"Let's finish this! Draco Meteor!"
Dark clouds gathered overhead. Countless glowing meteors rained toward Lucario.
Elior: "Run!"
Lucario sprinted across the battlefield, weaving between the falling meteors. One exploded beside it. Another struck the ground only inches away. A third clipped Lucario's shoulder. It stumbled... But refused to fall.
Mira: "Dragon Rush!"
Salamence surrounded itself with blue dragon energy and charged.
Elior: "Aura Sphere!"
Lucario fired the attack. Salamence smashed straight through it. The audience gasped. The Dragon-type continued charging. Lucario had no time to dodge.
Just before Dragon Rush connected...Lucario's Aura suddenly erupted. Blue energy burst outward.
Then...The blue Aura transformed into a radiant golden light.
Golden streams of Aura spiraled around Lucario's body. Its eyes glowed brilliantly.
The pressure alone forced Salamence to slow down. The stadium fell completely silent.
Even Mira stared in disbelief. Elior's eyes widened.
"Lucario..."
A brilliant pillar of golden Aura shot into the sky. The clouds above the stadium parted. For the second time in the Luminara League... Lucario had awakened its mysterious Golden Resonance.
TO BE CONTINUED...