The group of four chatted and joked as they made their way back to the surface.
The way back was naturally much simpler, and with two Ace Lucario leading the path, no reckless wild Pokémon dared to get in their way.
As they talked, Sato and the others learned more about Riley.
"You're actually from Cameran Palace? I know the legend from there… The True Guardian of Aura, right?"
Surprisingly, Mark was the one who knew this, while Sato and Joseph didn't.
"Yes, the Guardian of Aura, Sir Aaron, has been a legendary figure passed down in our land. In Cameran Palace, Lucario is even more precious than pseudo-legendaries. If you came to my hometown, Mark, you'd definitely be treated as an honored guest."
"Really?!" Mark's eyes sparkled. As the mascot of the team who rarely had status, he was clearly drawn in by the phrase "honored guest."
"Of course. Cameran Palace welcomes all Trainers and Pokémon who can use Aura."
"THEN IT'S SETTLED! Once our trip in Sinnoh is over, I'm definitely visiting Cameran Palace!" Mark shouted, then glanced at Sato.
"Do whatever you want. I'm not your dad," Sato replied sharply, glancing at Mark like he was being accused of oppression.
Still, a mascot should know its role… and this time, Mark had done it well.
By the time the four "saw daylight again," it was already 3 PM. They were starving, so they decided to cook on the spot. With Joseph around, there was no need to worry about good food.
"…I haven't even treated Riley to a meal yet…" Mark muttered. Joseph had totally stolen the chance to be the host. But Mark quickly found something else more interesting.
"Riley, before we eat, can I see your Pokémon? Can they all use Aura?"
Riley was carefully polishing his Poké Balls, but when he heard Mark's question, he didn't refuse. He directly released the other two Pokémon he had with him.
"Mienshao and… a blue lobster?" Mark barely recognized one of them before giving up.
"Clawitzer! You've been to Kalos?" Sato came over, sounding surprised.
"Yes. It's a beautiful place. I met Clawitzer there, it's really strong." Riley patted Clawitzer's massive claw -pincer- with confidence.
"Oh? How about a quick sparring match? Just a light bout." Sato extended an invitation. Clawitzer was also stuck at Peak Elite, so its strength must be decent.
"I'll do it! Boss, we agreed, if there's a battle, let me take it!" Mark complained immediately and raised his voice.
"Didn't your Lucario just break through? Aren't you planning a Lucario vs. Lucario match? But hey, if you want it first, go ahead. I'll challenge Lucario later."
Sato raised an eyebrow and stepped aside with a casual attitude.
"I…" Mark hesitated. After thinking about it, he figured an Ace level battle would be more exciting, so he backed off with a pout.
"Hey, I haven't even said yes yet," Riley smiled wryly. These two just assumed he wouldn't decline.
"I plan to use Cacturne. It's also stuck at Peak Elite. Don't you want to see how they match up?"
Sato sent out his Pokémon directly. The golden Cacturne looked impressive, and before Riley could say anything, Clawitzer had already raised its massive claw in excitement.
"Well then, Clawitzer already agreed… what else can I say?" Riley said helplessly.
In the face of a battle, a bit of hunger was nothing. After Mark lazily called out the start of the match, Cacturne and Clawitzer moved at the same time.
"Aura Sphere!"
"Energy Ball."
A blue and a green orb collided mid-air. The blue Aura Sphere was more than twice the size of the Energy Ball. Others might not know why, but Sato knew exactly; it was the effect of the Mega Launcher ability.
Mega Launcher: boosts the power of pulse-based moves by 50%. Heal Pulse restores 75% of a Pokémon's total health/stamina in one use.
And Clawitzer could learn many pulse-type moves. Combined with this ability, it was both offensive and supportive.
Then, the Energy Ball was forcefully shattered by Aura Sphere, which continued straight toward Cacturne.
"Cacturne, Spiky Shield." Sato had no choice but to give this command. Under Mega Launcher, the power of Aura Sphere was terrifying.
And Cacturne was fragile. It wouldn't be able to withstand it.
"Cac!"
Aura Sphere was popped by the spikes on Spiky Shield, and the remaining energy was fully blocked. But Cacturne had now lost its only guaranteed full defense.
"Clawitzer, Aura Sphere!" Riley's command rang out, this time without any of his usual warmth, only seriousness.
"Cacturne, Seed Bomb."
This time, Sato didn't choose Energy Ball. Instead, he used Seed Bomb to detonate the Aura Sphere directly!
BOOOM! BOOOOM!
Two explosions sounded in succession. Seed Bomb and Aura Sphere neutralized each other mid-air, and taking that opportunity, Cacturne dashed quickly toward Clawitzer.
"Clawitzer, Water Pulse!"
With Aura Sphere temporarily sealed, Riley immediately changed tactics. Clawitzer launched a Water Pulse the size of a basketball, which exploded mid-way into a massive wave crashing toward Cacturne!
Clearly, Water Pulse wasn't meant to deal damage, it was meant to stop Cacturne from closing in.
If Cacturne got in close, Clawitzer would be done for. Despite its dragon-head-like massive claw looking powerful, it was actually very hard to swing.
Both sides understood this perfectly.
"Cacturne, Cotton Spore."
"Clawitzer, Aura Sphere!"
"Cacturne, switch to Seed Bomb." Sato frowned, this was all he could do.
Riley clearly understood how to maximize Clawitzer's advantages. Long-range bombardment was its optimal role.
And any opponent trying to close in would first have to get past the Water Pulse.
Delay even a second, and another Aura Sphere would come flying, no aiming needed. Aura Sphere had lock-on capability and guaranteed accuracy!
You couldn't dodge it, but you didn't want to be hit, so the only choice was to counterattack!
But in a direct clash, Clawitzer with Mega Launcher plus pulse-type moves was nearly unbeatable among same-level Pokémon.
A vicious cycle!
Clearly, this Clawitzer's combat system was very refined. Thankfully, this wasn't a doubles match.
If Heal Pulse were added, restoring 75% of health/stamina in one go, the battle would become even harder.
Just like now, the match had reached a deadlock. Cacturne and Sato were caught in the opponent's rhythm, under heavy suppression.
They had to break through the wave of Water Pulse!
"Cacturne, use Sandstorm."
"Cact!"
Aura Sphere came flying again. Cacturne didn't flinch. It raised its arm, and swirling sand erupted, its figure quickly vanished into the Sandstorm.