The plain, straightforward Brick Break Attack involved no special technique, just a direct frontal strike.
Yet that very simplicity made it somewhat difficult for Lucario to handle.
A sharp glint flashed in Lucario's eyes. At that moment, Meownei's movements seemed to slow down, and he clearly "saw" how Brick Break would strike and where it would land.
Detect was a Fighting-type defensive move with an effect similar to Protect.
Lucario crossed his arms to block Meownei's attack, but his body kept sliding backward, leaving several deep footprints in the arena.
He was using a special technique to disperse the force. Otherwise, even a perfectly blocked attack from Meownei would still have affected his body through its sheer power.
"Luka... (You're the one who taught Riolu, aren't you...)"
"Meow. (That's right. Thanks for teaching her, and for helping me realize where the problem was. But I won't go easy on you.)"
"Luka. (Going all out is how you show respect for your opponent.)"
Lucario could tell that Meownei wanted an instructional battle. Although her moves differed from Riolu's, their opening motions were very similar. Of course, Riolu was the one imitating Meownei, so their teacher-student relationship was easy to spot.
Lucario didn't mind that sort of thing. Gym battles were a special kind of instructional battle to begin with. As far as Lucario was concerned,
powerful opponents were what he craved.
The Pokémon at this Gym were all "martial artists." To be a worthy martial artist, one had to keep challenging the strong to surpass one's limits.
As someone whom even the current Gym Leader had to address as a martial uncle, Lucario only encountered sufficiently powerful opponents when the Gym Exchange Tournament was held.
On that day, Gym Leaders from all over the world would gather. The Elite Four and