In an instant, David and Riolu's auras merged into one.
The surging Aura energy within David's body continuously flowed into Riolu through the connection between them.
With their minds synchronized, any verbal commands became unnecessary.
On the battlefield, after receiving David's enhancement, dual Aura energies converged within Riolu's body. A powerful wave of Aura—so immense that it made Sadie's expression shift—rose from the Fighting-type.
"Aura Amplification: Full Power: Stage One!"
Just like the technique used during its previous Aura Strike, the powerful Aura energy didn't launch directly after gathering. Instead, after surging wildly from Riolu's body, it adhered completely to the Pokémon's form.
The Aura energy covered Riolu entirely, forming a sky-blue "armor" that served to amplify its power.
The moment the armor materialized, Riolu's aura surged dramatically. A powerful presence radiated from its body, sweeping away the oppressive feeling that Houndoom had just emanated.
Though the description above seems lengthy, everything actually occurred in a single instant.
At this moment, Houndoom's Flare Blitz had just reached full power and was about to crash toward Riolu.
"Devastating Aura Strike!"
Facing the approaching opponent, David and Riolu directly chose to meet force with force.
After a brief charging period, Houndoom—engulfed in raging flames—had already closed the distance to Riolu.
Watching Houndoom bear down on it like a blazing chariot, Riolu kept its eyes tightly shut, making no movement. Just as the surrounding spectators wondered if it had given up, Houndoom was already locked onto by Riolu's Aura detection.
At the precise moment of contact, a fist covered in Aura energy shot forward with tremendous force.
The sky-blue stream of light and crimson flames immediately collided.
"BOOM!"
The two energies clashed violently, and rolling shockwaves emanated outward from the two Pokémon, forcing spectators in the front rows to raise their hands to shield their eyes.
David squinted, watching the outcome on the battlefield.
The seemingly unstoppable blazing chariot ultimately stopped before Riolu.
Houndoom, using its charging momentum, directly knocked Riolu toward the edge of the field.
Riolu's feet left two distinct skid marks across the ground.
But with the enhancement of the Aura Link, Sadie's intended finishing blow was ultimately withstood by Riolu and David working together.
At this moment, the audience erupted in commotion. Besides some tourists, many of the spectators were longtime attendees of Promise Gym battles, and they were naturally familiar with Sadie's strategies.
Facing this combination of Fire Spin plus Flash Fire Ability plus Flame Charge plus Flare Blitz, countless challengers had fallen before.
They had originally assumed that after this devastating combo was unleashed, David would surely be defeated.
But the scene before them greatly exceeded their expectations—Houndoom's ultimate attack had actually been taken head-on by this small Pokémon.
The audience naturally didn't know Riolu's exact level, but just from seeing that it hadn't evolved yet, combined with David's youthful appearance, they knew it couldn't be very high.
Yet it was this unevolved Pokémon that had blocked the full-force attack of the powerful Houndoom, making the feat all the more remarkable.
"Rio!"
"Ruga!"
At the edge of the battlefield, Houndoom and Riolu remained locked in a stalemate, neither yielding ground.
"Rio!!!"
Just then, under the external pressure, Riolu's own Aura energy finally erupted completely. Belief, determination, and desire all transformed into the power to seize victory.
This was its first time participating in a Gym challenge—how could it lose like this!
"Rio! (I still have to win this match for David!)"
In an instant, a dazzling white light radiated from Riolu's body, overwhelming the original sky-blue Aura energy surrounding it.
Evolution!
Sadie watched the unfolding situation with disbelief.
The surrounding audience, upon witnessing this scene, held their breath, not daring to even blink.
Enveloped in the light of evolution, Houndoom's attack was forced to cease.
Perhaps due to rules established by the Creator Arceus, in this world, when a Pokémon undergoes evolution, it cannot be affected by any attacks.
Soon, as the light representing evolution dissipated, the small Riolu was gone, replaced by a somewhat similar but taller, more imposing figure.
The Aura Pokémon—Lucario—had arrived!
Over nearly half a year, Riolu's accumulated strength had already reached considerable depth, and its bond with David had long met the requirements for evolution. All it had lacked was the right opportunity.
And at this moment, under Houndoom's pressure, the burning desire for victory served as that final spark, instantly igniting this "powder keg."
"It evolved! Lucario!"
Looking at the majestic figure before him, David's face showed a joyous smile, but now was clearly not the time for celebration—he still needed to defeat his opponent and claim victory in this match.
Hearing David's voice, Lucario turned slightly and nodded in acknowledgment.
[Name: Lucario]
[Type: Fighting/Steel]
[Gender: Male]
[Energy Level: 32 (Superior Rank)]
[Potential: Red]
[Ability: Justified]
[Held Item: Black Belt]
[Known Moves: Agility, Blaze Kick, Bullet Punch, Aura Sphere, Endure, Quick Attack, Metal Claw, Focus Punch, Counter, Bulk Up, Brick Break, Fire Punch, Rock Smash, Vacuum Wave, Shadow Claw, High Jump Kick, Swords Dance, Dragon Pulse, Close Combat, Bone Rush, Extreme Speed...]
After evolving, Lucario—through its accumulated power—directly reached level 32.
It had also gained several extremely powerful moves.
"Lucario! Close Combat!"
"Luca!"
At this moment, Houndoom's offensive was reaching its end. Its initial momentum had faded, new strength hadn't yet emerged, and the recoil damage from Flare Blitz was beginning to take effect.
David naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity.
Lucario observed the struggling Houndoom, stomped its foot, and instantly vanished from its position.
Then, abandoning all defense, it charged toward its opponent with pure offensive power.
"Houndoom!"
Under Sadie's worried gaze, the outcome was as expected. In Houndoom's current state, dodging the opponent's attack was impossible.
After being struck by Lucario's Close Combat—a barrage of heavy blows to its body—Houndoom collapsed to the ground unconscious, clearly having lost its ability to battle.
Houndoom's combination strategy already carried significant recoil damage, and being at the limits of its strength, taking a direct hit from Lucario's super-effective Close Combat made the result inevitable.
"Come back, Houndoom!"
The Poké Ball glowed red, recalling Houndoom, who had lost its ability to battle.
Being defeated like this by a younger Trainer who hadn't even entered university yet, with her own Houndoom knocked out—even the experienced Sadie couldn't help but feel momentarily stunned.
"Houndoom is unable to battle. Gym Trainer, please send out your next Pokémon."
Rotom's electronic voice sounded again from the sidelines, seemingly urging her to quickly release her next Pokémon.
Remembering her responsibility as a Gym Trainer, Sadie composed herself slightly, retrieved her last Poké Ball, and threw it forward.
"I'm counting on you for the final match!"