"Nini?"
Victini tilted its head, clearly confused.
Kyurem? It had never even heard that name before!
But since Lucien needed help… Victini would help with everything it had!
"Nini!!"
Its tiny face was full of burning determination.
Seeing this, Lucien finally let out a relieved breath.
Fortunately, even though he wasn't Victini's trainer, the two had grown up together. Victini would definitely help him search for Kyurem.
However… it still wasn't time.
Lucien fell into deep thought.
Dragonair still needed quite a while before evolving into Dragonite.
Larvesta had only recently hatched and was nowhere near evolving into Volcarona.
Right now, his strongest Pokémon was Servine, who was also close to evolving.
Lucien decided:
He would wait for Servine to evolve, then Serperior, before traveling to Lacunosa Town.
To reach that goal faster, training began early the next morning.
Morning- Training Ground
Lucien stood in the open clearing, facing the three Pokémon lined up in front of him.
After months of training, their strength, speed, and combat instincts had transformed dramatically.
Dratini had evolved into Dragonair, now able to fly and manipulate air currents with ease.
"Dragonair," Lucien said, "besides strengthening your wind control, today I'm teaching you a new move, Draco Meteor."
He explained the flow of Dragon-type energy, the compression, the release angle, and how the exploding energy becomes meteors.
Dragonair nodded and flew aside to begin training diligently.
Next was Servine.
Thanks to tending berry orchards daily, Servine's control over Grass-type energy had improved immensely, its Magical Leaf was already close to forming a true Leaf Storm.
"Servine," Lucien said gently, "your task is to keep refining Magical Leaf, and push it toward Leaf Storm."
"Your agility is your greatest strength, so speed training is still essential."
Servine gave a calm, confident nod.
When it came to serious matters, it was always reliable.
"Good. I'm counting on you."
Servine immediately moved to start high-intensity training.
Finally, Lucien turned to Larvesta.
Larvesta had exceptional talent for controlling Fire-type energy.
Its move mastery improved twice as fast as others.
"Larvesta, your requirement is simple," Lucien said.
"Every move you know must be able to activate within one second."
Then he took out several Fire Stones he had collected from the volcanic hot springs.
"You can absorb these to purify your fire energy and strengthen your flames."
"Mwah~!!"
Larvesta agreed enthusiastically.
The three Pokémon began their intense training.
At the Knights' headquarters, the soldiers trained with their Arons and Swablu using Lucien's new methods, physical drills, coordinated move practice, and structured sparring.
Lucien City's military strength grew daily.
One afternoon, during a sparring session against Dragonair, Servine suddenly shone with a brilliant white light.
Evolution?!
"Stop!" Lucien quickly called Dragonair back and turned toward Servine.
Inside the milky-white glow, Servine's silhouette lengthened and rose.
This time, unlike when it resisted evolving before, Servine didn't fight the change at all.
Snivy gazed intently at Lucien, its newly evolved form still shimmering faintly with remnants of light.
In that moment, it understood everything perfectly:
Lucien needed strength, real strength, at his side.
And after all this time together, after all the trust built between them, Servine no longer feared evolution.
Even without limbs, Lucien would protect it.
Lucien would guide it.
So, to better support him, and to gain power capable of shielding him, Servine had finally chosen to evolve.
Within the dazzling white glow, its limbs dissolved, its body lengthened, and an elegant, regal silhouette emerged.When the light faded, a new Pokémon stood proudly on the grass:
A creature with a noble posture, emerald-white scales, collar-like leafy ornaments around its neck, and ruby eyes carrying a touch of aristocratic disdain…
The final evolution of Snivy, Serperior, had been born.
It slowly settled onto the grass, lifting its head to meet Lucien's eyes.
Lucien inhaled sharply, excitement pounding in his chest.
"Congratulations, Serperior!"
Serperior held itself with graceful dignity, appearing proud and unapproachable, yet when its gaze rested on Lucien, a soft, gentle warmth flickered in those ruby eyes.
[Pokémon: Serperior]
Type: Grass
Gender: Female
Ability: Contrary
Moves: Tackle, Leer, Vine Whip, Growth, Wrap, Grass Knot, Magical Leaf, Leech Seed, Slam, Leaf Blade, Energy Ball, Leaf Storm, Solar Beam
Friendship: 100
Background: Omitted
"Leaf Blade… Energy Ball… Leaf Storm… Solar Beam..."
Lucien couldn't stop the joyous grin spreading across his face.
Serperior had gained so many powerful techniques at once.
Of course, this was thanks to the strict training he'd given her, especially in fine control of Grass-type energy.
"With Serperior, I finally have real protection," Lucien thought, relief washing over him.
Beside her, Dragonair let out a competitive cry, refusing to be overshadowed.
It didn't want Lucien's attention stolen by this newly evolved "Serperior"!
Determined to impress him, Dragonair lifted its head high.Deep purple Dragon-type energy surged into its mouth, condensing, compressing, reaching instability.
And then it launched the sphere skyward.
A heartbeat later.
BOOM!
The compressed orb exploded in the sky, splitting into countless blazing purple meteors that rained downward like a cosmic storm.
Lucien's eyes widened instantly.
"That's… Draco Meteor?!"
Dragonair had mastered it too?!
Lucien's smile grew even wider, this was a double celebration.
Though… the power was terrifying.
Each falling meteor carved deep craters into the ground.
Lucien felt a chill. Thank goodness they were training in an empty field, far from buildings or civilians.
Otherwise, the destruction would've been disastrous.
"Dragonair! You must never use that move inside town again!"
...
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