The Battle Continues
Deep beneath the ancient
Gravetower,
the clash between
Riolu and Dreadfang reached a new level.
The stone floor was covered in cracks.
The surrounding spirits watched silently.
Neither Pokémon was willing to retreat.
Kael Pushes Forward
Kael folded his arms.
"Dreadfang, Dark Howl!"
A terrifying roar exploded throughout the chamber.
Dark energy surged outward.
BOOOOOOM!
Riolu was thrown across the battlefield.
It slammed into a stone pillar.
"Riolu!"
shouted Elior.
For a moment, everything became silent.
Riolu struggled to stand.
Its body trembled.
Its energy was nearly exhausted.
Yet it refused to quit.
Kael smiled slightly.
"...That's why Zeff was interested in you."
Elior stepped forward.
"You don't have to win."
Everyone looked at him.
"You never needed to prove anything."
Riolu turned toward its trainer.
Elior smiled.
"You've always been my partner."
"From the beginning."
"And no matter what happens..."
"I'm proud of you."
Suddenly a brilliant blue light erupted from Riolu.
The entire chamber shook.
Mira gasped.
"No way..."
Even Morrigan's eyes widened.
The aura surrounding Riolu exploded outward like a storm.
Ancient spirits began appearing around the battlefield.
Watching.
Waiting.
The light grew brighter.
Riolu's form changed.
Its aura expanded.
Its body grew taller.
Finally—
The light shattered.
Standing there was
Lucario
The spirits whispered among themselves.
Kael stared silently.
Then smiled.
"...A Lucario."
"...Interesting."
Lucario immediately entered a battle stance.
Its aura flowed through the chamber.
"Dreadfang!"
The dark wolf growled.
Its eyes burned with excitement.
Both Pokémon charged forward simultaneously.
BOOOOOOM!
Aura met darkness.
The shockwave shattered nearby pillars.
Evenly Matched
"Aura Sphere!"
"Shadow Rush!"
The attacks collided in midair.
Neither side gained ground.
Lucario and Dreadfang exchanged blows at incredible speed.
Punches.
Claws.
Aura bursts.
Dark attacks.
Neither Pokémon was winning.
Suddenly—
A powerful pressure filled the chamber.
Everyone froze.
Even Lucario and Dreadfang stopped.
Footsteps echoed through the ruins.
Slow.
Calm.
Confident.
From the darkness emerged
Zeff.
Behind him, several members of
The Eclipse Rebellion
followed silently.
Kael immediately stepped back.
"Leader."
Zeff glanced at the battlefield.
His eyes briefly rested on Lucario.
Then he smiled.
"...So it evolved."
Elior Stares
"Zeff."
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
Nobody moved.
Nobody spoke.
For several moments, only silence remained.
Finally—
Zeff looked toward Kael.
The right hand of the Eclipse Rebellion immediately understood.
Without asking a question.
Without hesitation.
He recalled Dreadfang.
Zeff turned away from the battlefield and began walking deeper into the ruins.
The members of the Eclipse Rebellion followed him.
Before disappearing into the darkness—
Zeff spoke a single sentence.
"Kael."
"Your work has done here."
Kael nodded.
And Elior could only watch as Zeff continued toward the heart of Gravetower.
Because whatever Zeff had found below...
Was far more important than any battle.
TO BE CONTINUED...