Chapter Text
While still panting heavily, Lucario and Absol made one final lunge at each other, biting each other where the neck met the shoulder. As the minutes went by, it appeared neither male would back down, as the others watched on in anticipation. Eventually,
though, Absol noticed Lucario flinching and he bit down harder once more. Lucario released his own bite, and Absol slowly brought the Aura Pokémon down to the battlefield ground with a thud. The others watched as Lucario turned back to normal, laying
there unconscious. Absol roared loudly in victory as he was also turned back to normal, but he then placed his claws over Lucario’s neck, pressing down forcefully.
“Master… I did… I actually did it…” Absol thought to himself, while a Dark Aura surrounded him and Lucario as he was in his thoughts, “I am about to lay waste to this pathetic excuse of an Aura Pokémon!” His claws began to glow a deep, dark purple as the
Aura covered over them. “Lucario…” He continued, “These claws of mine… With my very darkness… Will be the last thing you’ll ever see! You thought your silly little “Destined Aura” could stop me! How wrong you were! Your master is going to miss, but you
made this choice when you missed with the wrong girl…! Allow me to put you out of your misery!”
Absol stared down at the Fighting-Steel type with a heinous look in his eye. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t rip you and every last bit of your Aura apart!” He said coldly, while pressing down harder. Lucario’s body slightly twitched as Absol pressed
down on him, and he prepared for the end. “Very well…” Absol laughed evilly, “Time for you to pay the ultimate price…! This is what happens when one tries to get between me and the light in my darkness!” He lifted his other claw up and prepared to deliver
the final slash. However, Roserade and Flygon hurriedly ran up and grabbed hold of him, desperately trying to push him back. “Stop this at once, Absol!” Roserade shouted, “The fight’s over! You won! Doing this accomplishes nothing!” “Think about it, buddy!”
Flygon continued, “What would our master think if he saw you doing this?!” Absol paused for a moment and looked at his claws before looking over at Bayleef. “What am I doing?! He thought worryingly, “I’m turning into the monster the humans make me out to
be… I was… I was about to end another Pokémon’s life simply… For Revenge and pride… He shouldn’t go just because we met and fought purely due to mere circumstances … No… This isn’t who I am! I am not a monster! I won’t be anything like any human
believes me to be! Bayleef… Forgive me… This wasn’t how I wanted this to be… And I’m sorry, Lucario… I almost ended the scared bond between you and your master over something so petty… You were an honorable opponent and do not deserve any worse
punishment than your current defeat.” He calmed down and released his grip on Lucario, backing away from him. Lucario gasped for air as he slowly got up, and Machoke and Meditite ran over to his side, while Flygon and Roserade patted Absol on the back.
“You’ll be okay, buddy.” Roserade assured the Dark type, “What’s done is done. You did the right thing, and, more importantly, you won the battle… And the war.” Absol looked at him and sighed, “But… I lost control…” Flygon smiled, “Because you fought over
someone you cared about more than anything. That instinct makes it so you would do anything to protect her, no matter the cost. You learned to control it in the end. Always remember that.” Absol nodded before looking back at Lucario, as Bayleef ran over to
him.
“Are you alright, Lucario?” Bayleef asked him. “I’ll be fine… Bayleef.” Lucario replied sadly, “But… I’m sorry… I failed… I failed you… I failed my master… And I failed… At protecting my destiny… It’s all gone now.” Bayleef sighed, “It’ll be alright. You fought your
heart out for me and gave it your all. It was just a shame that one of you two had to lose…” Lucario nuzzled her chin with his paw, “Yes… That is true… I will miss you, beautiful Bayleef… You are truly an amazing Pokémon… And I will never forget you. I hope
we can meet again one day at least…” Bayleef smiled, “I am sure we will, Lucario, without a doubt.” Machoke and Meditite sobbed a little, as Tyrogue and Mienfoo were saddened too from a distance, knowing Bayleef was about to leave them. “Will you visit us
again sometime, Bayleef?” Meditite asked. Bayleef beamed, “I’m sure I will find time to come back around and visit good friends like you guys. Do not worry.”
Lucario smiled back, before turning his attention to Absol. “Absol…” “Lucario…” “You have defeated me in my own gym here today fair and square.” Lucario stated, “I humbly accept defeat and concede the rights to Bayleef. She is rightfully yours, Absol. It was an
honor facing you.” “The feeling is mutual, Lucario. And I accept your concession.” Absol smiled faintly as Bayleef walked over to him before putting his head down, “Bayleef, I…” “Absol… You don’t need to say anymore…” She replied as she nuzzled against him
gently, “Everything you’ve said and done both on and off the battlefield is all I need to know about you and what kind of Pokémon you really are. Hehe. And… Before you ask me, my answer is… Yes. I will be… As you nobly put it, The Light in Your Darkness.”
Absol lifted his head back up and blushed brightly before the two of them nuzzled each other affectionately, as the Disaster Pokémon purred loudly. The others looked on and smiled, especially Roserade and Flygon, who both blushed happily for their buddy
before walking up towards the new couple. “You’re the greatest thing to ever happen in my life, Bayleef…” Absol stated lovingly, “And your light will now shine in me, forever…”
A few hours later, the opening ceremonies were about to begin at the Coordinator Convention, and Absol and May’s Blaziken were walking together down the tunnel which led to the contest stage. “Well, you’re in a much happier mood than normal.” Blaziken
said as he looked over at him, “What’s up with you?” Absol chuckled, “Heh. Nothing really of your concern, but… Let’s just say that I’m currently in the midst of greatest day of my life, and, even if I lose to you here, that won’t ruin it.” Blaziken stared at him in
disbelief, “Who are you? And what have you done with Absol? Since when do you want to lose to the likes of me?” “I already won the one battle that I couldn’t afford to lose…” Absol stated, “So… My other battles mean little to nothing of consequence moving
forward...” Blaziken titled his head before shaking it, “Whatever you say, Absol… Whatever you say.” The two of them walked into the white light towards the stage and disappeared.
A few weeks later at Oak’s Lab, Ash’s Hawlucha was resting on a branch against the trunk of a tree, when he was soon awoken with the tree shaking and vibrating violently. Hawlucha soon look around, angrily, as he tried to stay balanced, “What’s going on
here?! Who’s making that racket?!” “Morning, Uncle Hawlucha.” A voice called from below, “Sorry that I had to wake you up like that.” Ash’s Hawlucha looked down, seeing a young Absol below, and let out a deep sigh. “Well now, it’s just my young nephew.” He
flew down and landed in front of the young dark type, as two young Chikorita, one of each gender, stood behind their brother. “You are most forgiven, young one.” Hawlucha said, “I should have expected you all would be up by now.” The three young ones
giggled. “Of course we are, Uncle Hawlucha.” The male Chikorita stated, “You know why we’re here.” Hawlucha smiled brightly and smirked, “Heh. I know. I know. You’re all here for more riveting stories about “The Mysterious Greninja”, aren’t you?” The three of
them nodded and answered in unison, “Yes, yes! More! Please!” Absol and Bayleef soon arrived on the scene. “You three aren’t causing Uncle Hawlucha any problems now, are you?” Absol asked his offspring. “No, daddy!” They responded kindly. “Do not worry,
Absol.” Hawlucha assured him, “I was about to show your little ones the way to their next riveting tale.” Bayleef nodded, “Then, by all means, lead the way.”
Hawlucha led them all to a clearing within the forest. “You little ones are in for a treat.” He declared, “This ismy favorite tale… “The Evolution of Frogadier!” However, I am going to need some help with this one. Fortunately, I have such the amigos to do it.” With
a snap of his wing, both Buizel and Totodile soon appeared, “Uncle Buizel…! And Totodile…! Ready to tell the tale of the water-ninja evolution!” A second snap brought both Talonflame and Noivern. “No Kalos Region story
would be complete without us!” Talonflame stated.” “That’s right!” Noivern continued, “We are always ready to help mi brother, Hawlucha, out!” Hawlucha smiled once more, “Oh, and we have one more special guest.” A shadowy figure soon made its way from
the one side of the forest, and, the light revealed it to be Ash’s Goodra. “I have, indeed, come all the way from my home of the wetlands of Kalos to help you younglings learn the happy, little tales of Greninja!” The three little ones looked on, happily, as the
other Pokémon prepared to put on their show, and Absol and Bayleef nuzzled against each other lovingly and watched the show with them…