Starfire, Beast Boy, Cyborg, Raven, Robin, Kamala, Doreen, Harley, Ivy, Franklin, and Valeria all watched in stunned silence as the light around Froakie faded. They had heard Orion explain Pokémon evolution before, but witnessing the raw, transformative power firsthand was an entirely different experience. A collective gasp rippled through the stands, followed by murmurs of awe. Most shocked was Batgirl, her eyes wide with disbelief and wonder as she saw Frogadier, no longer her small Froakie, standing before her.
"Whoa, dude! It's like a whole new Pokémon!" Beast Boy shouted.
"Togepi is making happy chirps!" Starfire exclaimed.
"My diagnostics did not predict such a rapid evolutionary trigger," Cyborg remarked, his voice a low hum.
"I am sensing… renewed potential," Raven noted, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"The creature is… larger," Robin stated, a rare hint of surprise in his tone.
"This is so cool!" Kamala squealed. "Like, a super-level up!"
"Emolga looks excited, too!" Doreen added.
"Well, ain't that somethin'!" Harley said. "My Houndour's gotta try that!"
"Pamela, you really think Budew could do that?" Ivy wondered.
"That's incredible, Barbara!" Franklin exclaimed.
"The energy signature has completely changed," Valeria murmured, already pulling out her watch.
Batgirl, still reeling from the unexpected evolution, quickly pulled out her Pokédex.
Pokédex Entry
Species: Bubble Frog Pokémon
Type: Water
Height: 0.6 m
Weight: 10.9 kg
Sex: Male
Moves:
Pound
Growl
Water Gun
Quick Attack
Lick
Water Pulse
Ability:Torrent
Description: Frogadier is nimble and swift, able to scale vertical surfaces with ease and confound foes by leaping and striking from unexpected angles. It can even throw bubble-covered pebbles with precise control in battle.
A triumphant smile spread across Batgirl's face as she looked at her partner.
"Frogadier, you are amazing!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with pride and excitement.
Frogadier responded to Batgirl's praise with a confident nod, its newly defined eyes fixed on Beldum. Batgirl returned the nod, a fierce determination replacing her earlier concern.
"Alright, Frogadier," Batgirl said, her voice clear and strong. "Let's finish this."
A shared resolve passed between them, the bond intensified by the evolution, fueling their fighting spirit. Frogadier leaped onto a nearby ice spire, its movements fluid and precise, a stark contrast to Froakie's more grounded agility. It was ready.
Valeria, recovering quickly from her initial surprise, narrowed her eyes. She acknowledged Frogadier's evolution.
"An unexpected variable," Valeria stated, her voice calm but firm. "But it changes nothing. Beldum and I are still going to win this. Beldum, Iron Head!"
Beldum pulsed, its single red eye glowing with unwavering focus. It launched itself forward, a metallic missile aimed directly at the newly evolved Frogadier.
"Frogadier, Quick Attack!" Batgirl commanded.
Frogadier became a blue-and-cyan blur. It zipped around Beldum's charging form, landing a powerful thwack against its metallic body. Beldum recoiled, its trajectory thrown off. Frogadier followed up with a barrage of rapid Pounds, each strike sounding like a clang against Beldum's shell. Beldum spun, trying to track its opponent, but Frogadier was too fast.
"Beldum, Iron Head!" Valeria ordered, her voice sharp with renewed focus.
Beldum pulsed, its red eye glowing. It lunged, a metallic sphere of concentrated force.
"Frogadier, Water Pulse!" Batgirl called out.
Frogadier gathered water energy, forming a swirling sphere of compressed liquid. It launched the attack with a powerful thrust. The Water Pulse slammed into Beldum mid-charge, erupting with a CRASH of water and sparks. Beldum was sent skidding across the icy arena floor, carving a deep furrow in the ice. The attack's power showed Frogadier's enhanced strength.
Frogadier did not wait. It darted forward, a flash of blue and cyan, moving with a newfound agility that Beldum could not match. It landed another precise Pound on Beldum's side.
"Keep up the pressure, Frogadier! Quick Attack, again!" Batgirl instructed, her voice filled with a confident energy.
Frogadier launched itself, striking Beldum with a quick burst of speed, then another, then another. Each hit resonated with a metallic thud. Beldum wobbled, its movements becoming sluggish as it struggled against the relentless assault.
"Beldum, Tackle!" Valeria countered, her frustration growing.
Beldum launched itself, but Frogadier was already elsewhere, a phantom blur. Frogadier then created a dense mist of bubbles. They burst into the air, obscuring Beldum's vision.
"Water Gun, Frogadier! From all angles!" Batgirl shouted.
Frogadier moved through the opaque mist, striking from unexpected directions. Streams of water erupted from the bubbles, slamming into Beldum. The attacks hit with surprising force, pushing Beldum back with each impact. The sheer speed and power of Frogadier's evolved moves were overwhelming Beldum. Valeria clenched her fists, recognizing the shift in momentum. Beldum could not adapt to Frogadier's evolved speed and agility.
"Frogadier, Water Pulse!" Batgirl commanded.
Frogadier launched a concentrated sphere of water, imbued with its newfound power. The attack struck Beldum with incredible force.
CRASH!
Beldum wobbled on its base, its single red eye flickering rapidly. A faint spark jumped from its metallic body. Then, with a soft metallic thud, it slumped to the icy ground, its light dimming.
"Beldum is unable to battle!" Orion Oak's voice boomed through the arena, clear and strong. "The winner, and the first champion of the Pokémon Home Tournament, is Batgirl and Frogadier!"
Cheers erupted from the crowd, a wave of applause and excited shouts filling the arena. Batgirl rushed to Frogadier, scooping her partner up in a joyful hug.
"We did it, Frogadier! We won!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of relief, pride, and pure happiness. Frogadier chirped, nuzzling its head against her mask, sharing in the victory.
Valeria approached Beldum, her expression a mix of frustration and profound affection. She carefully picked up her heavy Pokémon, embracing its metallic form. Her mind raced, already analyzing every move, every missed opportunity. Beldum pulsed faintly against her, its silent thoughts reaching her: I wish I could have won for you. I will grow stronger.
"You were incredible, Beldum," Valeria whispered, a gentle pat on its cool surface. "We learned a lot today. We'll be back, and we'll be ready."
Orion, with Latias by his side, stepped forward, a wide smile on his face.
"What an absolutely electrifying battle, everyone!" Orion announced, his voice carrying easily. "Give it up for our first-ever champions, Batgirl and Frogadier!"
Starfire, Beast Boy, Cyborg, Raven, Robin, Kamala, Doreen, Harley, Ivy, and Franklin erupted in cheers.
"That was amazing, Barbara!" Kamala called out, Eevee bouncing in her arms.
"You and Frogadier totally earned that win!" Doreen added.
"Congratulations, Batgirl! Your Frogadier has evolved with great strength!" Starfire exclaimed.
"Acceptable performance, Batgirl," Robin said, a hint of grudging respect in his tone. "Your strategy was… competent."
Valeria walked over to Batgirl, extending her hand. "That was an excellent battle, Barbara," she said, her handshake firm and sincere. "Truly well-played."
***
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