Sandstorm couldn't cancel out Aura Sphere's lock-on effect; Sato knew this clearly, but he had Cacturne use it anyway.
The biggest reason was that Clawitzer wasn't Lucario. It could use Aura Sphere, but that didn't mean it could use "Aura" to lock onto a target's position.
This was extremely important!
Cacturne's mutation wasn't just about its "golden" appearance. It was also about its unique dual abilities: Water Absorb and Sand Veil. .
The Water Absorb mutated from its original trait was what Cacturne usually relied on during close combat. But that didn't mean Sato completely ignored its other ability.
Sand Veil, which allowed it to blend into a Sandstorm and hide its presence, increasing its evasion rate.
It was a simple ability… but when used well, it was the key to overcome the situation.
Sandstorm raged violently, and Clawitzer's Aura Sphere shot straight into it and vanished without a trace, while Cacturne triggered it with a Seed Bomb explosion.
Amid the clash, Cacturne took advantage of the storm's cover to close in on Clawitzer without hesitation.
What was different this time was that Riley and Clawitzer couldn't see Cacturne's silhouette, meaning they couldn't use Water Pulse to stop it!
Aura Sphere came again, but Cacturne remained unaffected, easily detonating it while drawing even closer.
Riley frowned unconsciously. He hadn't expected Sato to find a solution so quickly, and he also realized the flaw in Clawitzer's tactics.
It lacked a weather-countering move...
"Still daydreaming? That won't do. Cacturne, Needle Arm." As Sato gave the command, Cacturne suddenly appeared at Clawitzer's side, right in its blind spot.
Needle Arm… hit.
Clawitzer was sent flying.
"That's enough! Time to eat!" Temporary referee Mark shouted loudly, then bolted straight over to Joseph.
He couldn't be bothered to keep refereeing. After all, Boss said it himself: "just a light spar~".
Mark: I really am a clever little fox… hehe.
Seeing this, Sato could only helplessly order Cacturne to stop the Sandstorm, and Riley helped Clawitzer back up.
"That Sandstorm tactic was impressive. Your Cacturne is really strong!" Riley offered first.
"Clawitzer's attack power is impressive too. What mattered most was how well it synced with you."
A bit of mutual praise. Sato followed along.
"You two, get over here and eat already! Not hungry or what?" Mark yelled while grumbling, waving bowls and chopsticks around. 'Mutual praise and I don't even get a turn, hmph…'
Sato and Riley nodded to each other, then made their way over to the table.
"Bay~"
Joseph's Bayleef walked over and, upon seeing Clawitzer injured, immediately used Heal Pulse without hesitation. Such a considerate partner.
Clawitzer was stunned for a moment, but when it realized it was Heal Pulse, it quietly accepted Bayleef's help.
As the Heal Pulse gradually faded, Clawitzer flexed its giant claw energetically. Then, glancing at Bayleef as it quietly ran back to Joseph, it seemed to think for a moment, and pointed its giant claw at Cacturne.
Heal Pulse!
A larger, thicker pink wave of energy gently bathed Cacturne, startling it so much it nearly flung its berriesbowl.
As the glow faded, everyone looked curiously at the suddenly benevolent Clawitzer.
Even if it didn't use Heal Pulse, with Cacturne's own recovery ability, most of its stamina from the battle would've recovered on its own.
"Clawi…" Clawitzer blushed under the weight of so many eyes, then turned around and used its giant claw to cover its face.
"That Heal Pulse felt a little different…" Joseph noticed the subtle change and was clearly intrigued.
"Yeah, that's Clawitzer's unique talent. Any pulse-type move, whether offensive like Aura Sphere or supportive like Heal Pulse, gets a considerable boost." Riley didn't hold back, stating it plainly.
"That's amazing!" Mark said excitedly, his eyes lighting up as he looked at Clawitzer.
Joseph gave Clawitzer a closer look but didn't say anything in the end, simply returning to his seat.
Sato saw the whole thing and silently took note of it.
---
After finishing the very delayed lunch, which had been pushed back for hours, Riley was also won over by Joseph's cooking, offering constant praise.
Seeing this, Sato and Mark suddenly wondered just how bad Riley's meals were when traveling alone. Even Riley's Lucario, usually cold and aloof, had warmed up after eating Joseph's food.
No wonder there were reports every year of wild Pokémon choosing to follow Breeders… human culinary skills were truly a secret weapon when it came to catching Pokémon.
---
By the time the group returned to Canalave City, the sky was already full of stars.
Since four of their Pokémon had just made it to Ace, they all chose to head to the Pokémon Center to get a full checkup.
"All of your Lucario and the others are in excellent health, and congratulations on your achievements. The future looks bright~" Nurse Joy said with a beaming smile, lingering especially long on Sato.
Sato's Tyranitar had already evolved, but the Mega Stone still couldn't be "gifted"… this wasn't a secret among the Joy family.
Sato pretended not to know anything, took back his Poké Balls, and politely nodded at Nurse Joy.
Now that Sato was older, no Joy forced him to call them "big sis" or "oneesan" anymore. But looking back at the ones who'd already made him do it… 'tch,' they hadn't changed one bit. And he still couldn't tell them apart.
Once all four had retrieved their Poké Balls, Mark locked eyes with Riley. "Riri, it's finally time for our battle, right?"
"Better wash up and go to bed. It's already night." Riley smiled faintly and pointed at the darkness outside the window.
Mark: …I swear, I'm not a fool.
---
…The night passed quietly…
Early the next morning, the ever-persistent Mark finally got his chance. When their eyes met, both walked in silence toward the backyard battlefield.
The "civil war" between Lucario… was now inevitable!
By the time Sato and Joseph arrived, the battle had already reached the peak of hand-to-hand combat.
Lucario were natural fighters, even without using moves, their barehanded fight was still thrilling to watch.
On one side, Riley's Lucario pulled and tried to slam its opponent down with a Low Kick, but Mark's Lucario was no pushover either. It stepped onto its opponent's waist mid-air and stopped itself from being thrown.
Then, both sides backed off at the same time.
"Aura Sphere!"
"Aura Sphere!"
Boom!
The Aura Spheres collided and exploded, neither one was stronger than the other!
"Force Palm!"
"Low Sweep!"
Both attacks landed simultaneously. Mark's Lucario was thrown to the ground and couldn't get up for a moment.
Riley's Lucario also staggered back several steps, a faint current flickering across its body.
It was worse off…
It had been paralyzed!