Pokemon: Becoming A Pokemon Master

Chapter 22: Riolu's Evolution

Everyone walked cautiously as they approached the outer edges of Noctowl territory. The light filtering through the canopy cast eerie shadows, and the sound of rustling leaves was the only warning of movement ahead.

"I've read in Pokémon Biological Studies: Kanto Avian Species that wild Noctowl are notoriously territorial," Brock murmured, scanning the trees. "They use their enhanced vision and powerful ultrasonic waves to detect intruders. They don't like surprises."

"It's fine," Alex said evenly, eyes fixed ahead. "We'll try to skirt the edge of their zone. I just want to make it to Ecruteak City without another detour. This forest is suffocating."

As they advanced along the forest path, everyone kept low and quiet. The tension was thick; even Misty's usually upbeat demeanor was subdued. Just as they seemed to be in the clear, a sharp snap echoed through the woods—Ash had stepped on a dry branch.

The forest fell still for a split second, and then—

"Hoooooot!" A piercing cry shattered the silence.

From the treetops, a flock of wild Noctowl burst into the air, dozens of glowing eyes locked onto the intruders. They descended rapidly, screeching and beating their wings.

"Noctowl swarm incoming!" Brock shouted.

Seeing no point in stealth anymore, everyone released their Pokémon.

"Let's go, Riolu!" Alex called, the small blue Pokémon landing beside him, eyes glowing with resolve.

Ash tossed out his Poké Ball. "Charmander, I choose you!"

Brock summoned Onix with a thunderous roar, while Misty called out her Starmie.

"Charmander, Flamethrower!"

"Onix, use Coil and hold formation!"

"Starmie, Aqua Jet—now!"

"Riolu, open with consecutive Aura Spheres!" Alex commanded.

Blasts of fire, water, and aura lit up the forest. Several Noctowl were struck mid-flight, crashing into the undergrowth. The team managed to take down nearly a dozen, but the relentless waves of Noctowl kept coming.

"Noctowl are using Hurricane and Air Slash—watch out!" Misty warned.

The sky filled with slicing gusts and howling winds. The attacks came fast and heavy—Charmander and Starmie were overwhelmed and collapsed under the pressure.

Ash and Misty quickly recalled their fainted partners. "We're out," Ash admitted. "Alex, we need you to turn this around."

But Alex didn't look worried. He gave a small, confident smile. "No need to panic. Riolu's still got fuel in the tank. This is a great chance for him to gain battle experience."

"Riolu!" he shouted. "Use Double Team and launch a flurry of Aura Spheres from behind your clones!"

Multiple images of Riolu darted in every direction, confusing the swarm. From their midst, glowing blue orbs blasted upward. The Aura Spheres struck target after target. The remaining Noctowl were knocked from the sky like falling leaves.

Ash stared in disbelief. "That's… way stronger than I expected. One Aura Sphere KO'd my Charmander earlier… and now he just wiped out all of them. Is that the difference between us?"

Riolu stood among the fallen enemies, panting, visibly drained.

But it wasn't over yet.

Suddenly, a sharp burst of Air Slash flew from the shadows. The attack struck Riolu in the side, sending him tumbling through the grass.

"Riolu!" Alex cried, stepping forward. From the shadows emerged a much larger Noctowl with brilliant red eyes and an imposing stature.

The Pokédex chimed:

Species: Noctowl

Typing: Normal/Flying

Ability: Forewarn (Variant: "Fantasy" Type Sensor Mode)

Qualification: Legendary Class

Moveset Detected: Air Slash, Shadow Ball, Psybeam, Phantom Force, Extremespeed, Brave Bird

"This one's on a whole other level," Alex murmured, reading the scan. "Legendary-tier strength... This must be the guardian of the flock."

The Legendary Noctowl hovered in the air, screeching. Its eyes flashed as it unleashed Brave Bird, cloaking itself in a fiery blue aura and diving toward Riolu with incredible speed.

"Dodge and counter with Aura Sphere!" Alex commanded.

Riolu narrowly avoided the first impact and struck back. The Aura Sphere landed cleanly, but Noctowl halted midair with no recoil from Brave Bird—high-level stamina. Then, in a shocking display of speed, it launched Brave Bird again consecutively, with no rest.

The second strike hit Riolu full force. The little Fighting-type skidded across the forest floor, landing hard. He groaned, struggling to rise.

"Riolu…" Alex whispered, his voice tight with worry.

Riolu tried to stand, wobbling, his legs shaking. He grit his teeth, refusing to stay down, but his body wouldn't cooperate. Alex reached for Riolu's Poké Ball.

"Return, Riolu! You've done enough !"

But before the Poké Ball could activate, something stirred in the air around Riolu. A soft blue glow surrounded him. His aura began to expand, wrapping his small frame in radiant energy.

Ash gasped. "That light no way!"

Brock's eyes widened. "He's… evolving!"

The aura pulsed, brighter and brighter, and then—BOOM.

"Li… Ou…"

Riolu looked up at Alex with unwavering resolve. His body was battered, but his spirit remained unbroken. His crimson eyes glinted with determination, clearly expressing that he could still fight.

Alex knew that look well. Riolu's Ability is Inner Focus, he recalled. And more than that, he has the heart of a warrior. The more he's pushed, the fiercer he becomes. How could I make him retreat now?

"Riolu, I see you," Alex said softly, smiling with admiration. "Let's finish this. Aura Sphere!"

Riolu struggled to his feet. His paw trembled slightly as it drew energy from the surrounding aura. A brilliant blue sphere formed, and with a cry, he hurled it at the wild Noctowl.

But Noctowl, with its elite experience, twisted mid-air and dodged the attack with ease. It countered with a flurry of Shadow Balls. The black orbs struck Riolu directly, sending him crashing to the ground once more.

"Noctowl's going in for Brave Bird again!" Brock called out, eyes widening.

Before anyone could react, a blinding glow enveloped Riolu's body.

Everyone stopped in awe as the light intensified.

"He's evolving!" Brock exclaimed, stunned.

The luminous form rose higher, growing taller and more powerful. When the glow faded, a new figure stood where Riolu once had: Lucario calm, poised, and emanating fierce strength.

He had a lean, muscular frame, sleek blue-and-black fur, and red eyes that burned with clarity. A prominent chest spike gleamed under the sunlight, and two bone-like spikes protruded from the backs of his paws.

"Lucario…" Alex breathed, his voice thick with pride.

Lucario turned back and gave a subtle nod, as if to say I'm ready. Then, without hesitation, he locked eyes with Noctowl, whose expression had changed from arrogance to wariness.

The Pokédex pinged again:

Name: Lucario

Qualification: Champion-Class

Ability: Inner Focus (Heart of the Brave)

Moves: Aura Sphere, Double Team, Bone Rush, Force Palm, Double Kick

"He's learned Bone Rush too," Alex realized, reading the display.

"Lucario, Bone Rush go!"

Lucario leapt high, and in a flash, a long glowing bone formed in his hand. With incredible speed, he swung the bone staff down, smashing it into Noctowl's skull. The wild Pokémon shrieked, wings flailing.

It retaliated with Phantom Wave, a move known to cause confusion and hallucinations. Lucario blocked the attack with effort, but his stance wavered his eyes began to glaze over, movements sluggish.

"Lucario, snap out of it!" Alex shouted.

At the sound of his voice, Lucario's aura flared. His body began glowing with intense blue light. His eyes turned crimson, and a shockwave of aura rings expanded outward from his body.

The sheer presence made even Misty and Ash take a step back.

"This… this is the waveguide's power at full release," Brock said in awe.

Lucario's energy spiked, a dense atmosphere pulsing around him. The surrounding trees trembled as the air grew charged.

"Noctowl's stunned…" Ash muttered.

"Lucario, Aura Sphere full power!" Alex ordered.

Lucario's palms glowed, forming an enormous Aura Sphere nearly double the usual size. With a piercing cry, he hurled it forward. The blue sphere hit Noctowl square in the chest with a resounding boom. The massive owl screeched and plummeted to the ground, unconscious.

It didn't move again.

Alex exhaled, stunned. "That... was incredible."

Lucario turned, nodding once more before the glow faded from his body. He was breathing hard, but standing proud.

"After evolving, your waveguide ability has advanced even further," Alex said, returning Lucario to his Poké Ball with a smile. "We've come so far."

The others gathered beside him, their eyes scanning the battlefield. Dozens of wild Noctowl lay scattered across the clearing.

After a moment of silence, they began walking again. About ten minutes passed before the trees thinned and they saw light at last.

"There it is!" Misty cried. "The exit!"

The group broke into a run. As they stepped into the clearing, golden sunlight bathed their faces. After so long in the dense, damp forest, it felt like stepping into another world.

"I forgot what real sunshine felt like," Misty laughed, stretching.

"For someone who obsesses over skincare, being in that damp forest too long must've been torture," Brock joked.

"We're finally out," Alex sighed.

Just then, a soft hoot echoed through the sky.

"Hoohoot!"

Everyone looked up.

Descending from above was a messenger Hoothoot, carrying a small black backpack marked with the Pokémon League emblem.

"Huh?" Ash said. "What's that?"

"The Pokémon League courier system," Alex replied. "They must've delivered something for me."

The Hoothoot dropped the package in front of him, gave a quick chirp, and flew off again.

"Efficient," Brock observed.

Alex opened the backpack. Inside was a small black case with a silver latch. He opened it slowly and his eyes widened.

Resting inside was a sleek League Prosecutor's ID badge, embossed in gold and set in dark leather. The symbol of the Pokémon League gleamed with authority.

"This is…" Ash trailed off.

"The official certification of a Pokémon Prosecutor," Alex said quietly, holding the ID up to the sunlight.

"That's incredible," Misty said, clearly impressed. "So official."

Alex gently closed the case and tucked it away. "From today forward, I'm officially a Pokémon Prosecutor."

Beneath the certificate, there was a velvet-lined box. Opening it revealed two additional items: a King's Rock, shimmering gold with royal markings, and a small mechanical device with a screen and nozzle.

"A King's Rock!" Ash exclaimed. "That's super rare Slowking evolves with that!"

Alex turned over the second item in his hand. "I've never seen one of these…"

Brock leaned in. "That's a compact Energy Cube Maker. I read about them in Pokémon Tech Monthly. They're still in field testing. The League must really trust you."

Alex blinked in surprise. "These things cost, like… fifty million PokéDollars. They actually gave me one?"

Ash and Misty both let out a low whistle.

"Well," Alex said, tucking the rewards into his pack, "guess we'd better get moving. The real journey's just beginning."

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