Eliana made her way back to the gym, the setting sun casting long shadows across the pavement. The arcade's bright neon lights faded behind her, replaced by the city's steady evening hum. The familiar, imposing structure of the Saffron City Gym loomed ahead, a silent testament to the power within. She walked in, the heavy doors swinging shut behind her with a soft thud, the noise of the outside world instantly muffled.
Eliana had expected to find Sabrina in the main training hall, but the older psychic was nowhere to be found. She had even tried reaching out with her mind, but was met with a resounding amount of nothing. After searching the city, Eliana still found nothing, which was confusing. Even when Sabrina left the gym, Eliana could find where she was. So that meant either two things, Sabrina was purposefully hiding from her or she was dead.
Raichu jumped on her tail, surviving around Eliana with a proud chirp. Starmie's core glowed with satisfaction as it gently rotated in the air. Kirlia looked up at Eliana with a cheerful expression, walking closer to stand by her side.
The small Pokémon preened under the praise. The rest of her Pokémon were happy for their teammate. Eliana bent down so that she was eye level with Kirlia,
A wave of affirmation and eagerness washed over Eliana's mind, so strong it was almost a shout. The energy within him, the potential that had been straining against its coil, roared for release.
Eliana rose, gesturing for the others to give them space. Raichu and Starmie backed away, their minds fixed on Kirlia with a mix of awe and anticipation. The air in the room grew still, thick with a latent power. Eliana went to her bag and retrieved the hidden Dawn Stone. She then closed her eyes, extending her senses, connecting her mind directly with her Pokémon's. She opened her eyes and smiled,
Eliana held out her hand, the Dawn stone lightly settled in her palm, and Kirlia reached out to touch it. The moment they made contact, a brilliant white light erupted from Kirlia, so intense it forced even her to shield her eyes. The light wasn't just a visual phenomenon; it was a wave of pure, raw psychic energy that washed over the room. The loose papers on her desk rustled, the glass in the windowpane hummed a low, vibrating note.
From within the blinding cocoon of light, the silhouette of the small, delicate Pokémon began to contort and stretch. The graceful form shifted, broadening at the shoulders, growing taller, leaner. The two horns on his head combined into one longer horn at the base of his head. Two new horns appeared on his torso, one on the back and one on the front. The light coalesced around its arms, solidifying into gleaming, elbow-mounted blades that seemed to hum with a latent, cutting energy. The transformation was swift and beautiful, a birthing of a new form.
The brilliant white light receded as quickly as it had appeared, collapsing back into the center of the new form. Where the small Kirlia had stood, a new Pokémon now waited. He was taller, standing with a confident, upright posture. His blue head was now crowned with a long silver horn, and the blades on his elbows caught the dim light of the room, reflecting it with a deadly sheen. He opened his eyes, and they were the same sharp, intelligent orange as before, but now they held a new depth, a warrior's focus.
The newly evolved Gallade, blinked a few times then began to overlook his new body, getting used to the sudden boost of height. Raichu happily circled her teammate, curiously sniffing at him. Before he had evolved they were around the same height, now however, he towered over her. Starmie floated closer and although it was quiet, they all knew it was happy for Gallade.
A surge of thoughts, feelings, and sensations flooded her mind, far more structured and potent than before. It was a cascade of pure sensation: the weight of the new blades, the solidness of his stance, the raw energy thrumming through his limbs.
She gestured to the elbow blades.
The new Gallade looked at his blades, then back at her. He took a step, then another, testing the feel of his new form. He stood straighter, a sense of pride emanating from him. He then turned to his teammates.
Raichu, who had been watching with wide-eyed fascination, cautiously approached. She reached out a small paw and gently touched one of the blades. Gallade remained perfectly still, allowing the inspection. Raichu gave a happy chirp and sent a wave of congratulations. Starmie floated closer, its core glowing with approval. It spun slowly, a gesture of respect for its newly evolved teammate.
Eliana watched them, a rare, genuine smile gracing her lips. This was her team. A family, forged in battle and strengthened by their shared experiences. She was proud of all of them. She walked over to her Gallade and gave him a pat on the shoulder, a new sensation.
She walked towards the door of her room, her Pokémon following behind her.