The morning after the auction and the meetings with the two dragon clans, Gladion woke up early.
His mood had improved slightly overnight, but the memory of the Blackthorns still lingered like a bad aftertaste. He decided it was time to focus on something more important than business.
He would train with his Riolu and Froagadier starting today. Most of his major deals were settled for now, and he had not forgotten the promise he made to himself. He wanted to spend real time with his Pokemon and train them himself instead of leaving everything to hired trainers.
'It was time to up the two Pokemons training before they evolved to their final forms. And it would not be long before they evolved too,' Gladion thought as he walked toward the private training grounds behind the gym.
He looked at Froagadier first. The water-type still glared at him from time to time, but the anger was not as sharp as before. Froagadier had slowly softened after realizing that Gladion had saved him from the poachers who kidnapped him.
The glares were more like habit now than real hate. Next to him stood Riolu as serious as ever.
To stop Froagadier from throwing another fit about being kidnapped and not being returned to his family, Gladion had used a simple strategy. He had given the frog Pokemon a purpose that would make him train hard.
"You can hunt down the ones that brought you here and other such Pokemon kidnappers," Gladion had told him.
Froagadier had stared at him for a long time, arms crossed. [So I get to beat up the bad guys who steal Pokemon like me?]
"Yes," Gladion answered. "Anyone who kidnaps or sells Pokemon for profit. You find them, you stop them. I will even help when I can."
Froagadier had kicked a small rock across the ground. [Fine. But I still think you are a jerk for not taking me back to my parents. Those poachers were scary, though. If I can smash more of them, I guess I can stay for now. But if you lie about this, I will flood your whole gym.]
Gladion had nodded. "Deal."
Since that talk, Froagadier had stopped trying to run away or attack him every chance he got. He still complained, but the complaints sounded more like a rebellious kid grumbling than real rage.
But he showed up for every session and worked hard. Gladion could see the change. The little frog was starting to trust him, even if he would never admit it.
Mystique watched the training from the side of the field. She tilted her head as Froagadier grumbled again about the early morning start. [He is quite a handful, is he not?] she said to Gladion.
Gladion gave a small nod. "He is. But he is getting better."
He turned his attention to Riolu. "Riolu, your fighting moves are good with the help of Guy's training. But now it is time to train with your aura. You are an aura Pokemon for a reason, and I will be damned if I did not make you a beast in that."
Riolu stood straighter, ears perked. Gladion continued explaining what he wanted. "A well-trained Lucario can sense auras to identify and take in the feelings of creatures over half a mile away. It is said that no foe can remain invisible to Lucario, since it can detect auras. Even foes it could not otherwise see."
Gladion wanted Riolu to master detection first. Before going to the next part.
"And that's not all. By catching the aura emanating from others, it can read their thoughts and movements."
This was his main aim. If Riolu could sense the intent behind an attack before it happened, he would be able to dodge or counter with perfect timing. It might feel similar to Ultra Instinct one day.
"Close your eyes," Gladion said. "Feel the energy around you. Start with me. What am I feeling right now?"
Riolu closed his eyes. His small body tensed as he concentrated. After a few seconds, he opened them again. [You are… calm. But a little angry still. From yesterday.]
Gladion nodded. "Good. Now try to feel Mystique."
Riolu turned toward the Milotic, [She is watching. And a little worried about me.]
Mystique smiled softly but said nothing.
"Again," Gladion said. "This time, try to predict my next move without me telling you."
He moved suddenly, throwing a slow punch toward Riolu's shoulder. Riolu stepped to the side just before the fist arrived.
"Not bad," Gladion said. "But you waited until the last moment. You need to feel the intent earlier. The moment I decide to attack, not when the punch starts."
Riolu nodded seriously. [I will try harder.]
Froagadier snorted from his rock. [This looks boring. When do I get to hit something?]
Gladion glanced at him. "Hmm, How about you getting hit?"
Froagadier looked at him susupisously and asked [What do you mean?]
"Well, You see, You would become a ninja Pokemon after your next evolution. And a ninja should be fast and should be able to dodge attacks. While Riolu here could use his aura to do so, You would have to rely on pure speed. Mystique and the other milotics in the pond would shoot water pulses on you and your task would be to dodge them."
Froagadier glanced at the dozens of the Milotics in the pond and asked with little fear, [All the Milotics? That doesn't sound a good idea.]
Gladion looked at him with a smirk,"Is someone scared?"
[Who the hell is scared bring it on you ugly snakes?] Froagadier screamed as all the Milotics glared at him.
Froagadier regretted his words a few minutes later.
-----Author Notes------
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