"Natsu-sensei..." Ash blinked, his nose twitching.
In the description for the [Insulated Gloves (Enhanced Version)], a faint line of text stood easily overlooked: [Capable of channeling Aura.]
If Squirtle could pass its Ripple Aura through Natsu, then he, too, could beco a conduit.
"Sounds like it's gonna hurt..."
Natsu shook his head—but turned back anyway. "Squirtle, lend your Aura!"
"Squirtle!" Squirtle froze, then shook its head violently.
"It's fine." Natsu smiled gently.
Maybe the outco wouldn't change.
He stared at his fingerless gloves, resolve hardening.
But I, Natsu-sensei... never leave regrets behind!
Squirtle watched Natsu's back.
Through their bond, it felt his conviction—clear as daylight.
Just like Sir Aaron and Ash... he'd made his choice.
mories flashed before Squirtle's eyes.
"Squirtle..."
With its cautious personality, Squirtle would normally never dive into such danger.
But this ti—
Its gaze steadied.
Crack!
The Everstone around its neck shattered completely.
"Squirtle! ヾ(■_■)"
Then, it tossed aside its sunglasses.
Lucario's eyes widened. With it here... we might actually—
"But it's still not enough!" Lucario tried to shove Squirtle back.
Squirtle blocked the push effortlessly. "Squirtle?"
Not enough?
Then I'll just get stronger!
Blinding light erupted from Squirtle's body.
A shockwave of energy blasted outward.
Lucario staggered. "That's... Evolution light?!"
But this intensity—how long has it been stockpiling power?!
The Tree of Beginning glowed under the radiant aura, its energy surging wildly.
"Natsu-sensei..." Ash gulped.
Natsu's eyes flickered.
Maybe... if a Trainer entrusted their hopes to a Pokémon, it would answer.
Whether it was Sir Aaron and Lucario reconciling across millennia...
Or Ash shielding Pikachu from a horde of frenzied Pokémon...
Natsu looked down at Squirtle, bathed in light.
A slow smile spread across his face.
This... is the beauty of humans and Pokémon.
eting, bonding, trusting—
Suddenly, Lucario shoved Ash—dragging Natsu down with him.
Ash no longer needed to risk himself.
Lucario turned.
Within the shimring glow, Squirtle's form expanded.
Even after evolving into Wartortle... the light didn't stop.
D-double Evolution?!
Just how much strength has this guy been holding back?!
Lucario swallowed hard.
With Ripple Aura... plus the explosive energy of Evolution...
We might actually pull this off.
"D-double Evolution?!" Ash gasped.
He'd heard rumors—Yellow once forced a Caterpie to evolve twice using Viridian Aura.
Senior Gold's Togepi had broken through twice to battle a deity...
But witnessing Natsu-sensei's Squirtle erupt with Ripple Aura and evolve consecutively?
Words failed him.
Maybe... Ash clenched his fists.
With Natsu-sensei here, we really can save Lucario!
Natsu sighed fondly. "That's just how my turtle rolls."
While its Ripple Aura still couldn't match Lucario's...
The sheer energy from two Evolutions more than compensated.
Evolution fully restores HP and PP, after all.
And this happened twice!
"Talk about overprepared!"
Natsu actually felt relieved.
Glancing at Lucario, he smiled.
Now that Squirtle evolved...
Lucario won't have to sacrifice itself.
Ash bit his lip.
So this is why Professor Oak sent Natsu-sensei with .
My Aura control is child's play compared to his!
"Natsu-sensei," Ash whispered, "was this whole thing... a test you and Professor Oak planned?"
Rembering Natsu's earlier "evaluation" comnt, Ash grew suspicious.
Maybe this crisis...
Was orchestrated to test if I'm worthy of being a Pokédex holder!
He grinned.
Good thing I didn't disappoint!
Natsu's mouth opened—
Then his face paled.
Wait.
How many Potions will it take to recover after double Evolution?!
Mystic Water won't cut it this ti!
But one thing was certain:
I'm treating Squirtle to a feast when we get back.
The Tree of Beginning pulsed with revitalized Aura, its glow gentle and warm.
"Lucario!!" Lucario clasped its paws, hurling a massive orb of light toward w.
"Blastoise."
With a smug grin, Blastoise hefted an Aura Sphere at least 30% larger and jerked its chin at Lucario.
Lucario's eye twitched. It strained to amplify its own.
Yet no matter how hard it pushed, Blastoise's sphere remained just bigger.
Lucario stared in despair.
This guy... has no limits?!
"w~!!" w flailed its tiny arms.
That's enough! These are too big!
But the combined Aura Spheres surged into the Tree's trunk anyway.
In an instant, the Tree flourished—vibrant green energy breathing life into everything.
Winter reversed.
Barren branches sprouted sumr blossoms under the overwhelming Ripple Aura...
Natsu's expression twisted.
Did that Aura Sphere just... overfill the Tree?!
Never change, Blastoise.
"After evolving into Blastoise..."
He recalled the colossal energy sphere and muttered, "Did its Aura Sphere evolve into a Spirit Bomb too?"
Outside the Tree's core...
The Three Regis, battered from their standoff with Steven, exchanged glances and slunk away.
Steven—his usually immaculate appearance frayed—leaned against a crystal, exhaling.
"This ti... Natsu-sensei saved ."
Rembering the Evolution light, he pondered.
The only one in his team with Aura potential was that Squirtle...
If it evolved...
His fingers brushed the ga Stone in his pocket.
I owe him a proper gift.
...
The crisis had ended.
Lucario stood silently where Sir Aaron had taken his final rest, its gaze distant.
"Blastoise." The newly evolved Pokémon dusted off its sunglasses with one cannon before sliding them back on.
"Blastoise ヾ(■_■)"
The sheer big-shot energy was lightyears beyond its Squirtle days!
Though still adjusting, Natsu laughed and patted its enlarged shell. "You never cease to amaze , Blastoise!"
"Blastoise." It smirked, then critically examined its own bulkier fra.
The shell had expanded significantly...
While this ant more surface area to protect, its defensive capabilities had skyrocketed.
Conclusion? Ti to intensify Iron Defense training.
Ash approached Lucario, resting a hand on its shoulder.
Finally, he removed the gloves and placed them back where they belonged.
"Lucario." Ash extended his hand, smiling. "Will you travel with ?"
Lucario's pupils contracted.
Logic whispered: He's kind... but he'll never be Sir Aaron.
Yet another presence—gentle and warm—seed to grip its shoulder in approval.
For so reason, Lucario felt a smile tug at its lips.
"Hmph!" It slapped Ash's palm away. "My duty remains at Caran Palace—guarding Princess Irene."
Lucario glanced at Ash, rubbing its nose. "Though... should you need aid, or during League tournants—"
"Yes!" Ash tackled it in a hug.
"Hey! Don't think I couldn't flatten you!"
Natsu watched the scene with folded arms, smiling.
Perhaps years later, Ash would catch his own Lucario.
But for now... this eting had blossod into sothing precious.
That alone was enough.
Natsu gazed skyward. "I want to see Cynthia again..."
"w~~!" Fully recovered, w nuzzled against Natsu's neck.
"Sylveon!" Sylveon's ribbon yanked the mythical Pokémon down.
Unfazed, w giggled. "w~~"
"If you're ever lonely," Natsu said, extending a hand to the pink feline, "co find ."
His grin turned playful. "I may not be much... but I'm a damn good gaming buddy!"
w tilted its head—then broke into mischievous giggles, lifting its tail.
A soft high-five sealed the pact.
Just then, the System's cheerful chi echoed:
[Ding! Quest "w & the Aura Warrior: Lucario" complete!]
[Reward: Special Talent "Aura of Ripple" unlocked!]
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