Mega Lucario Awakens — A Aura Blast Rivaling Hyper Beam!**
Many people had given Ethan gifts.
Seeing the sheer value of those treasures, Xie Di would be lying if he said he wasn't envious.
But he also understood something very clearly—
Those rewards were exactly what Ethan deserved.
Ethan's recent contribution alone was enough to leave a bold, unforgettable mark in the history of the Donghuang League.
Coupled with his terrifying talent and limitless future potential, any sensible person knew one thing:
Stay on good terms with Ethan.
In truth, Xie Di had prepared a gift as well.
He had simply decided to give it after the Elite Four Challenge concluded.
"Although this is an Elite Four Challenge," Xie Di said with a grin,
"the rules aren't as strict as before."
"If you're ready, we can begin right now."
He looked straight at Ethan.
"Come on, Ethan."
"Let me see what you're really capable of!"
A custom-made Poké Ball appeared in Xie Di's hand.
"Go—Ninetales!"
"Show the younger generation the power of our bond!"
The Poké Ball opened.
A fox Pokémon with flowing fur and nine elegant tails landed lightly on the ground.
"Naaai~"
The moment Ninetales appeared, her gaze locked onto Ethan.
1.73 — Elite Four, Early Stage.
Ethan's eyes sharpened.
"So Dad's intel was right."
"Elite Four Xie's core Pokémon really are on another level."
But the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
"Lucario—
you're up first."
Ethan threw his Poké Ball.
A tall, blue figure materialized on the battlefield.
Lucario.
This was no longer the Lucario of the past.
Standing over 2.3 meters tall, with lean muscles and powerful legs,
his body radiated explosive potential.
More importantly—
As his strength had grown, Lucario's mastery over Aura had reached a terrifying level.
The instant he appeared, invisible waves of Aura spread across the entire artificial island.
Lucario's intention was simple—
to fully grasp the battlefield.
But for everyone watching…
The pressure was overwhelming.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Sun Lin.
Guan Yi.
Even the other Five-Star Trainers were stunned.
They had expected Ethan to send out Pokémon like Swampert, Garchomp, Gliscor, or Skeledirge.
No one expected Lucario.
And even fewer expected him to already be—
Elite Four level.
Just four months ago, at the exchange tournament, this Lucario had only been mid-Commander rank.
Now?
Elite Four, Early Stage.
"Lu… caario."
Lucario ignored the shocked gazes.
His eyes never left Ninetales.
His goal was simple—
Win.
Prove himself.
Xie Di chuckled.
"Strong presence."
"But my Ninetales won't go down so easily!"
"Ninetales—Sunny Day!"
"Then, Flamethrower!"
The moment the command was given, the sunlight intensified violently.
The temperature skyrocketed.
Ninetales' mouth glowed—
A pillar of fire erupted forward like a raging dragon.
But Ethan didn't panic.
He didn't even give an order.
Lucario vanished.
Whoosh—!
Before anyone could locate him—
Ninetales cried out sharply.
Lucario had already appeared behind her.
Dynamic Punch.
The blow landed squarely on a vital point.
Even as an Elite Four Pokémon, Ninetales couldn't shrug that off.
And Lucario didn't stop.
Bullet Punch.
Again.
Again.
Again.
A storm of steel fists.
Ninetales never even had the chance to use Protect.
Moments later—
She collapsed.
Defeated.
Silence.
Xie Di froze.
This… wasn't how it was supposed to go.
In his estimation, Ninetales should have at least drained a large portion of Lucario's stamina.
Instead—
She was taken down in less than a round.
Xie Di exhaled slowly, recalling Ninetales.
"So this is the strength of a true Aura user…"
"I underestimated you, Ethan."
He raised another Poké Ball.
"If it's speed you want—"
"Then this battle belongs to you."
"Go—Talonflame!"
A flash of red streaked into the sky.
A fiery bird with a wingspan of nearly three meters appeared, flames trailing behind it.
"Scree—!!"
1.75 — Elite Four, Mid Stage.
Ethan narrowed his eyes.
He knew this Talonflame very well.
It was one of Xie Di's most frequently used Pokémon—
and for good reason.
This Talonflame possessed something incredibly rare.
Dual Abilities.
Normally, a Pokémon only had one ability.
Dual abilities often meant instability, illness, or shortened lifespan.
Most didn't survive childhood.
But this Talonflame was different.
Its dual abilities caused only one "defect"—
It had no gender and could not reproduce.
In exchange?
Unmatched combat power.
Flame BodyGale Wings
When combined, its speed during Fire-type techniques skyrocketed.
Add its aggressive nature—
And it became Xie Di's ultimate speed-based weapon.
Talonflame hovered high above, staring down at Lucario with pure contempt.
"Heat Wave!" Xie Di commanded.
Under Sunny Day, scorching winds swept across the island.
The temperature rose so sharply that even Ethan began sweating inside the barrier.
Lucario—being Steel-type—was under immense pressure.
Ethan knew—
This couldn't drag on.
"Lucario—Aura Sphere.
Stop it from casting freely."
Lucario roared.
A glowing blue sphere formed between his palms—
BOOM!
The Aura Sphere launched upward.
Talonflame accelerated instantly.
A streak of fire tore across the sky, leaving a blazing trail.
"Fast!"
"His speed's even higher than before!"
"Three Mach, at least!"
But—
The Aura Sphere followed.
Relentlessly.
Locked on.
Unlike ordinary Aura Spheres, Lucario's attack didn't dissipate.
It grew denser.
Stronger.
Why?
Because Lucario had already flooded the battlefield with Aura.
The island itself had become a targeting network.
Energy continuously fed into the pursuing attack.
Xie Di frowned.
Then his eyes lit up.
"Forget dodging!"
"Talonflame—Flare Blitz!"
If he couldn't escape—
He'd attack.
Talonflame ignited completely, transforming into a blazing fire phoenix, diving straight at Lucario.
Ethan smiled.
This was exactly what he wanted.
A Keystone appeared in his hand.
"Lucario—
Mega Evolve!"
Light exploded.
Mega Lucario stood tall, overwhelming pressure flooding the field.
"Now!"
"Aura Burst!"
Mega Lucario raised both hands.
Aura condensed violently.
The air twisted.
Xie Di's heart sank.
Too late.
BOOOOM—!!
A devastating explosion erupted—
a beam of Aura rivaling Hyper Beam itself.
Talonflame was swallowed whole.
Moments later—
Thud.
A scorched body crashed into the ground.
Motionless.
Talonflame—defeated.
The speed king… had fallen.
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