Four days had passed like a blur of blue light and soft fur. In the quiet, incense-scented training room of the Veilstone Gym, Julian let out a long, theatrical groan.
"Hiss... my head. It feels like soone tried to park a truck inside my skull. Lucario, buddy, can't you download the data a little slower?" Julian rubbed his temples vigorously, his eyes squeezed shut.
"Lucario, Lucaluca. (This is the third session in as many days,)" the jackal replied telepathically, his voice a calm tide against Julian's ntal headache. "(Have you still not adapted to the expansion of your consciousness?)"
"Even if you say that, bloated is still bloated! You've shoved more ancient secrets into than a library. It's uncomfortable!" Julian muttered, though his hands told a different story.
"Lucaluca, Lucario. (If your other hand wasn't currently buried in my stomach fur, and if your fingers weren't moving in that rhythmic, obsessive way, I might actually believe you are in pain.)"
Lucario looked down, staring flatly at Julian's right hand, which was indeed balls-deep in the blue fluff of his midsection.
"Ahem!" Julian coughed guiltily, snapping his hand back as if he'd been electrocuted. He went back to rubbing his own head with both hands, trying to look dignified. "That was... uh... a lingering muscle spasm from the spiritual space. My brain was so overloaded I forgot I was even touching you. Purely accidental. Really."
Lucario's red eyes glead with a hint of a smile. "(Your heart has opened up quite a bit since the first day, Julian. You are becoming increasingly audacious.)"
Julian's face flushed a deep pink. "Well... you said you didn't mind! And it would be a waste of resources to let fur that soft just sit there unpetted. It's practically a cri against nature."
Over the last few days, Julian had beco a permanent fixture at the Gym. Every morning, he'd drop Togetic off for specialized Aura Sphere drills and present Lucario with a fresh "tuition paynt" of custom-made Pokéblocks.
As the awkwardness of the first day faded, Julian had leaned into his "Plushie Enthusiast" nature. Since Lucario already knew his deepest, darkest secrets, Julian figured there was no point in pretending to be a serious martial artist. He had spent his afternoons asking complex questions about Aura just so he could stay close enough to "rua" Lucario's arms, ears, and belly.
But while he was a "Social Terrorist" in front of Lucario, he was still a coward at ho.
"Lucario, Lucaluca. (Your Aura grows stronger because you are finally letting your emotions flow,)" Lucario observed. "(But you still haven't confessed your... 'hobby' to your own partners, have you?)"
Julian let out a long, suffering sigh. "How am I supposed to say it, Lucario? 'Hey guys, I'm actually a total weirdo who wants to bury my face in your fur every day and maybe taste your paws to see if they're salty?' I'd be single in a heartbeat! They'd look at like I'm a monster!"
"(I do not understand humans,)" Lucario sighed. "(You take liberties with —who could crush you—yet you fear the judgnt of a Growlithe.)"
Julian poked his own index fingers together nervously. "It's different! With you, the secret is already out. With them... I have a reputation to uphold!"
However, Julian was being a bit delusional. Back at the hotel, Growlithe and Sylveon were currently sprawled out on the bed like two discarded rugs, looking absolutely wasted on happiness.
Ever since Julian's "awakening," his nightly "massages" had beco legendary. Because he was so happy to finally be petting them "legally" under the guise of therapy, his Aura was leaking out through his fingertips. Growlithe and Sylveon had no idea their Trainer was a closet fur-fetishist; they just thought he had suddenly beco a god-tier massage therapist. It was a cycle of mutual satisfaction: Julian got his fluff fix, and the Pokémon got a spiritual spa day.
The Final Lesson
"Today is the last day," Lucario said, breaking the silence. "I have taught you the thods. Whether you can truly master them depends on your heart. Aura is not just energy; it is the essence of who you are."
Julian's eyes dimd. He looked around the simple room that had beco his sanctuary. "The last day, huh?"
He thought about the quiet monts, the spicy-sweet Pokéblocks, and the surprisingly warm weight of Lucario's paw on his head. He didn't want to leave. But he rembered the egg in his bag.
"I have to get back to Solaceon Town," Julian said, a bittersweet smile appearing. "If I linger too long, I'll miss the birth of the little one."
"Lucario. (Then let us finish this.)"
"Wait... before I go," Julian reached for his backpack. "Can I take one last photo? Just us?"
Lucario nodded. Julian tossed out Togetic's Poké Ball.
"Togetic, we're heading out tomorrow. Co say goodbye to your teacher."
"Jia gei gu! (Master!)" 🐣 Togetic flew straight to Lucario, his little eyes teary. over the past few days, the small fairy had co to worship the ground the jackal walked on. "Jia gei! (I'll make you proud! I'll master the Aura Sphere!)"
"Lucario~ (Keep your wings steady, little one.)" Lucario patted Togetic's head.
Julian set up his tripod, focusing the lens. "Okay, Lucario... for the final shot... can I hold you?"
Lucario opened his eyes and gave a small, regal nod.
Julian rushed into the fra, wrapping an arm around Lucario's shoulders while Togetic perched happily on Julian's head.
Click!
The Letter and the Departure
The next morning, Julian didn't show up for training. Instead, he left a sealed envelope with the morning apprentice, with strict instructions: "For Lucario's eyes only. If you peek, your Aura will turn into sludge."
Julian stood at the edge of Veilstone City, looking back at the rock-strewn horizon. He took a deep breath and began the long trek down the mountain.
Inside the Gym, Lucario tore open the letter.
Lucario,
By the ti you read this, I'm already on the road. Thank you. For the training, for the patience, and for not reporting to the Officer Jennys for 'excessive petting.' > Your fur is 11/10. I'm blushing just writing this. o(////▽////)q > I've attached the refined Pokéblock recipes. I know Aaron's staff won't make them quite as well as I do, but they'll keep you healthy. And hey, next ti we et, I'm coming for a real battle. No weights. No holding back.
PS: Do NOT show this to Aaron. I will know.
Your friend (I hope?), Julian
Lucario's mouth curved into a rare, genuine smile. He closed his eyes, his sensory bundles floating upward. He sent a powerful pulse of Aura across the mountain range, a ntal "shout" that reached Julian just as he reached the valley.
"I will be waiting, Julian. If you win our rematch... I might even let you 'rua' the belly again."
Julian, miles away, tripped over a rock in surprise. He turned back toward the city and scread at the top of his lungs: "IT'S A DEAL! PREPARE YOUR FUR, BECAUSE I'M COMING FOR THE WIN!"
The Partner's Jealousy
Back in the Dojo, Grandpa Aaron burst in, looking sour. "Hmph! That kid left without even saying goodbye to ? I'm the Gym Leader! I'm the one who gave him the badge!"
He saw Lucario holding a piece of paper. "Is that a letter? What's it say? Let see!"
Lucario perford a graceful backflip, tucking the letter away. But as he moved, a glossy photo fluttered to the floor.
Aaron snatched it up. It was the photo from yesterday—Julian grinning like an idiot, and Lucario... Lucario wasn't looking at the cara. He was looking sideways at Julian with an expression of profound respect and affection.
"I knew it!" Aaron grumbled, looking at the photo. "You like him more than ! If I weren't here, you'd probably have packed your bags and hopped in his van!"
"Lucario, Lucario. (Don't be a child, Aaron,)" Lucario projected, though his eyes remained on the photo in his partner's hand. "(You are my partner. Always. But that boy... he has a different kind of bond. Even without , he will find his destiny.)"
Aaron sighed, the jealousy fading into a nostalgic smile. "He's a good kid. A bit weird about the fur... but a good kid."
Miles away, Julian sat by a campfire, looking at his own copy of the photo. He flipped it over and wrote:
June 24th. eting and partings. I think I finally understand what Cynthia ant about lives eting and nurturing sothing new. I'm leaving Veilstone with a headache, a new power, and a friend I'll never forget.
Next stop: Solaceon Town. The egg is shaking. It's ti.
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