In an instant—
The terrifying surge of aura swept wildly across the battlefield.
In midair—
A massive, nearly incomprehensible Aura Sphere floated above, held high in Riolu's trembling hands.
It was nearly two stories tall. Just the energy radiating from it was enough to make the crowd's hearts race.
"Is that...?"
Gurkinn shot to his feet in the spectator stands, eyes wide and full of disbelief. His hands trembled uncontrollably.
As the Mega Evolution inheritor of Lucario, he was all too familiar with the Aura Sphere.
And it was precisely this familiarity that made the scene before him so earth-shattering. A sphere this size? It was absurd, monstrous — glorious.
Even Bruno, who had been quietly watching, opened his mouth slightly.
His usual munching of his anger buns slowed to a near halt.
"What terrifying talent…" Bruno murmured.
The intense blue glow of the Aura Sphere made Korrina squint. She stiffly turned her head to Maylene and muttered blankly, "This… this is still a Riolu, right? It's not secretly a Legendary in disguise, is it?"
"Pft." Maylene let out a dry laugh.
Just another classic Caleb "I'm not human" tactic.
"Ref! Where's the ref?! Someone's cheating and you're just letting it slide?!"
The red-belted karate dude roared from the stands.
Martial artists had loud voices — Caleb heard every word loud and clear.
He sneered. "Cheating? This is all Riolu's own power."
Then he waved. "Let it rip, Riolu."
By now, the Aura Sphere had grown to three stories tall. Any larger, and it would've hit the limit.
"Go!"
Whoosh—!
With Caleb's command, the enormous Aura Sphere detached from Riolu's palms and soared straight toward Croagunk.
Its dazzling glow lit up the whole battlefield. Croagunk, usually expressionless, actually flinched.
At the last second, it turned just slightly — and looked at its trainer.
"Croa..."
BOOM!!
The Aura Sphere crashed down, and the entire field shook. Cracks spiderwebbed across the ground.
The shockwave alone nearly knocked Caleb, Brock, and the referee off their feet.
When the smoke finally cleared—
Croagunk lay peacefully on the ground, completely out of commission.
Brock's eyes dimmed with disappointment. He'd actually called for Endure right before the hit landed.
Endure: Even if struck by a powerful attack, the user survives with at least 1 HP. But repeated use can fail.
But Croagunk still fainted. Was it the aftershock?
...Had Caleb calculated even that?
Brock wondered silently.
Meanwhile, Riolu, having expended all its energy, could no longer stay airborne. It began to fall.
Is this my limit already...? Riolu thought bitterly.
If I collapse after one big attack, I'm basically a free KO in the wild.
"Catch it, Chansey!" Caleb reacted fast, tossing another Poké Ball.
A pink egg Pokémon materialized on the field and caught Riolu with her stubby arms.
"Lucky～"
Chansey cooed gently, glowing with soft light.
Heal Pulse: Emits a wave of healing energy that restores half the target's max HP.
"Oraaa~"
Bathed in the soothing light, Riolu let out a comfortable sigh.
Maybe if I had some recovery moves, I wouldn't end up like this so often...
Riolu started running through its movepool mentally.
Life Dew! That's it!
New goal: learn and master Life Dew!
With the battle over, Caleb left the field.
But in the tunnel out, Brock called after him.
"Hold up, Caleb!"
Caleb turned, saw Brock running toward him — and reflexively threw a Poké Ball.
"Chansey, Seismic Toss!"
"Lucky～!"
Thankfully, Brock dodged with a burst of Agility.
Because, well... after all those years hanging around Ash, he had picked up a move or two.
Realizing Brock wasn't here to start a no-rules brawl, Caleb scratched his head. "Ah… sorry. Force of habit."
As the most popular Gym Leader in Sinnoh, Caleb had his share of crazy challengers.
The kind that just jump you out of nowhere yelling for a street fight.
It had gotten so bad, Caleb had developed muscle memory for it.
"I get it, I get it," Brock chuckled awkwardly.
Honestly, with the way Caleb battled, a surprise beatdown seemed inevitable.
"I talked to Misty yesterday. Apparently, her sister handed out a badge again — for no reason."
Brock reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek, gray octagonal badge.
"This is the Pewter Gym badge. Figured you might as well have it."
As the system chimed in, Caleb stared at the badge in confusion.
Ding! System quest updated!
Badge Collection (2/8)
Caleb: ????
Brock explained with a grin, "You've already got one badge. Might as well prep for the Indigo League. Who knows, maybe you'll go for it?"
Do I look like I enjoy baby cup tournaments that much...?
Sure, crushing rookies is fun. But he already had a gym — with an endless stream of newbies lined up for beatdowns.
Why bother traveling to the Indigo League for the same thing?
Plus, it was early January. The league started end of the month.
You think I can collect six more badges in under four weeks?
Still, Caleb took the badge anyway. Free is free. As a kid, he'd been curious about these things — nice to make up for a childhood regret.
Brock left to heal up Croagunk at the Pokémon Center, and Caleb continued down the tunnel...
...only to be stopped again a few steps later.
This time, it was an elderly man with long, waterfall-like eyebrows.
Caleb immediately recognized him — Gurkinn, the Mega Evolution inheritor from Kalos. Korrina's grandfather.
What's he want with me? We don't even know each other.
Gurkinn slowly approached...
And then suddenly lunged.
Old or not, the man moved like a bullet. He was way tougher than Caleb's useless father — who was already breaking down in his forties.
But as Gurkinn closed the distance without slowing down, Caleb's unease skyrocketed.
He watched in stunned disbelief as the old man swung a fist directly at his face — the punch slicing through the air with shocking force.
Only then did Caleb finally snap out of it.
What the hell?! We don't even know each other! Is this how you boomers say hello?!