Riolu's evolution requires a friendship level of 220 or a happiness value of 158 or higher.
It only evolves during the daytime.
After learning the truth about the unusual Aura within Steven in Rota,
Riolu finally calmed down and fully sensed Steven's own Aura.
In its view, Steven was a person who harbored genuine affection for Pokémon.
He was also a person full of a sense of justice.
Inside the Poké Ball, it had been watching Steven all along.
When facing an evil organization that could endanger the world, Steven did not hesitate and chose to lend a hand.
Even from the stories told by its mentor, Scizor, Riolu learned about Steven's deeds before it joined the team.
During this time, when Steven groomed it and explained things to it,
it showed no resistance whatsoever.
After the events in Rota, it had completely accepted Steven.
Steven was momentarily stunned, looking at Riolu, who had stood up again.
Riolu's Aura was rising!
Riolu immediately opened its eyes and calmly stared at the Hitmonlee across from it.
In just a few seconds, it had thought things through.
What was the point of constantly getting stronger alone? One person's strength would always be insufficient.
The special bond formed between a Trainer and a Pokémon could enable both to exert greater power.
The reason for my constant growth...
It was a long time ago, but Riolu still remembered it.
"You, someday, will definitely become a very powerful Pokémon."
Riolu didn't know who said that sentence.
But it knew it had heard those words when it was still in its egg.
And now, all the conditions for its evolution had been met.
Riolu's body emitted a white light, and its form continuously changed within the brilliant glow.
"It's evolving! After Piplup, Steven Stone's Pokémon is evolving again in battle!" the commentator exclaimed excitedly.
Steven smiled as he watched Riolu evolving.
Compared to Steven, Ami showed a wry smile.
Riolu was already difficult to deal with.
Now that it had evolved, she probably couldn't escape the fate of being swept.
Steven had always felt that his friendship or happiness level with it wasn't enough, so Riolu had shown no signs of evolution.
Furthermore, Riolu's strength had actually stagnated for a short period during training.
Pokémon like Riolu were quite sensitive to emotions, so Steven had always treated Riolu with sincerity.
Otherwise, how could he raise its happiness level?
"Lucario!"
Lucario waved its paw, and the white light dissipated into the air.
Looking down at its transformed body, Lucario clenched its fists.
This is my true power!
Having just successfully evolved, Lucario felt its body filled with power!
"Go, Lucario. Use the move you want to use," Steven said with a light chuckle.
Lucario turned its head and nodded slightly at Steven.
It raised both paws, condensing a blue sphere of energy.
"Endure! Use Blaze Kick!"
Even Ami, who was quite a distance from Lucario, felt the oppressive force of this Aura Sphere.
Aura Sphere locked onto Hitmonlee's Aura, making it impossible to avoid.
It was better to use Endure and counter with Blaze Kick to see if it could severely wound Lucario!
Bang!
Hitmonlee endured the Aura Sphere, forcing itself to kick toward Lucario with a burst of strength.
From within the smoke, a leg suddenly extended!
The spring-like leg rapidly elongated in the air, with fierce flames burning at its tip!
Lucario calmly watched the incoming Blaze Kick.
Its figure flashed, turning into a white stream of light that bypassed Hitmonlee's Blaze Kick!
The airflow it generated blew away all the dust raised around Hitmonlee!
Blaze Kick missed completely.
Hitmonlee turned its head with a look of surprise, looking at Lucario, who had its back turned.
Flames were actually burning on Lucario's foot!
Copycat!
Lucario turned around and kicked Hitmonlee with its flaming leg.
Bang!
Hitmonlee fell heavily to the ground, its legs spreading into an extremely wide split.
The flames on its leg dissipated, and at the same time, the referee's voice rang out.
"Hitmonlee is unable to battle! Lucario wins!"
Subsequently,
Lickitung and Flareon, successively sent out by Ami, were both defeated by Lucario.
"Lucario has achieved the feat of a full sweep! Let's give our applause and cheers to Lucario and Steven Stone!"
The commentator shouted excitedly into the microphone.
Skarmory: You didn't mention the Stealth Rock I set up earlier at all?
The Stealth Rock Ami laid down at the start only damaged Riolu once.
Immediately after, Lucario swept all six of her Pokémon.
Lucario returned to Steven's side, its body softening as it fell into Steven's arms.
After the match, Steven and Ami shook hands again.
"Congratulations on your Lucario achieving a full sweep," Ami said, pouting slightly, a little unhappy.
"I'm sorry, but my Lucario used its full power," Steven chuckled softly.
"And your strength is really impressive."
Ami was stunned.
Because my strength is very impressive, you swept all six of my Pokémon?
If you act like this, no girl will like you!
After the semifinals, Steven took Lucario to the Pokémon Center for treatment.
Wallace, in disguise, came to the Pokémon Center hoping to catch someone, and he happened to catch Steven, who was waiting for the treatment to finish.
It was also fortunate that the Pokémon Center was only open to Trainers during the competition.
So Steven didn't have to worry about being surrounded by fans.
"Wallace?"
Wasn't this Wallace, who had disappeared for a few days?
"What? I didn't even show any skin, and you still recognized me?"
Wallace was surprised, pulling off his mask and sunglasses, looking at Steven with disbelief.
"Intuition," Steven chuckled.
"I came to congratulate you on reaching the finals, but it was also within my expectations," Wallace leaned back on the sofa and chatted with Steven.
"By the way, why haven't I seen you these past few days?"
"Don't even mention it. After Chairman Goodshow finished talking with me, he told me to guide the newly appointed Gym Leader," Wallace said helplessly.
"Even though I was also newly appointed not long ago!"
Steven chuckled softly and said,
"But weren't you almost the Champion of the Hoenn League?"
"That's a separate matter!"
Wallace waved his hand dismissively.
Seeing another Trainer enter, Wallace quickly put on his sunglasses and mask.
"Is it really that serious?" Steven teased when he saw this.
"Don't worry about it. I don't want to be in the news anymore!"
"You're still happy about it? If it weren't for me, you'd be covered in scandals by now!"
No wonder there hadn't been any "scandals" recently—it turned out someone was carrying the burden.
"But isn't that your fault? You're too good-looking."
"That doesn't sound like a compliment."
Wallace's eyes, hidden beneath his sunglasses, stared intently at Steven.
"Oh? You figured it out!"