Chapter 425: Aura Sphere Riolu
~Azure S. POV~
[Anime Canon – Sinnoh Region, Days Later, Forest]
After separating from Ash and the others, I took this time to relax and unwind. My partners, Pikachu, Eevee, and Pichu (Mew) unwound with no training or concerns, just a casual stroll through the world.
We walked for what felt like hours, just taking in the scenery. The anime world was always so vibrant, so saturated with color compared to the one I'd left behind.
It was a welcome change of pace. My goal was simple: find a nice town, rent a room, find a rare Pokémon, and do absolutely nothing for a week. I still have the baby team getting their foundations.
That plan evaporated as we entered a dense forest. The peaceful chirping of Starly was interrupted by a pained cry, "Riooo!"
My trainers' instincts kicked in instantly. I whispered, my team already on high alert, "What was that?"
Pikachu's ears twitched, and Eevee's nose twitched, sniffing the air. I followed the sound, pushing through a thicket of bushes.
There, huddled against the roots of an ancient tree, was a small, blue-and-black Pokémon. Its fur was matted with dirt and blood, and it was cradling a bruised arm.
A Riolu. Not only that, its aura…
No way… could it be the one?
The one from the anime is destined to become the new guardian of the Lucario Kingdom. I remembered that episode well.
I said calmly, taking a slow step forward, my hands held up in a placating gesture, "Easy there, little guy. You're hurt. Let me help you."
The Riolu's eyes snapped wide open. They were wide with fear and pain, but also with a fierce defiance. It staggered to its feet, a faint blue light gathering in its paws.
*Shiii*
Seeing it charged made me determined that it's the Aura Sphere Riolu. But I quickly yelled, "Wait! Don't!"
I warned, but it was too late. Aura Sphere!
*PEW*
The ball of shimmering energy shot towards me. Pikachu jumped from my shoulder, cheeks sparking, but I held up a hand, stopping him.
I didn't even flinch. Focusing my will, I extended my psychic senses. The world seemed to slow down…
*SHIII*
The Aura Sphere, a powerful attack that could never miss, hung in the air before me, straining against an unseen force. With a subtle flick of my wrist, I used my psychic ability, telekinesis.
*Booom*
The sphere veered harmlessly to my left, exploding against a tree and sending splinters flying. The Riolu stared, its jaw agape. It had expected me to dodge, to fight back with a Pokémon, not to simply... swat its attack aside like a bothersome fly.
I took the opportunity. I didn't want to fight it.
I wanted to show that I was safe. I let my own aura surface. It wasn't the sharp, focused aura of a typical Aura user…
*Wooosh*
Mine was a swirling, brilliant rainbow of emotions and power, a testament to the countless bonds I'd forged. Woven within it, like a current of pure life, was the Viridian Force, the green, life-giving energy that hummed with the power of nature.
I held my hand out, and a small, verdant orb of light formed in my palm, pulsing with gentle warmth. I said calmly, my voice calm and steady, "I'm not going to hurt you, Riolu. I can help."
The Riolu took a hesitant step forward, its wide, blue eyes fixed on the rainbow aura surrounding me. It sensed the power and benevolent nature of it. Managing to feel its emotions through the Viridian Force. It felt... safe.
But as its guard began to lower, my senses screamed at me. We were being watched. I glanced to my right, through the trees, and saw a flash of hair and a familiar uniform. Kellyn, a Pokémon Ranger.
He was observing the scene, likely preparing to intervene. In the original timeline, he would have been the one to connect with this Riolu.
I respected Kellyn. But I didn't play by this timeline.
I subtly shifted my mental focus, reaching out with a whisper of thought into the shadows that clung to my feet, 'Darkrai.'
From the inky blackness at my heels, a formless shadow detached itself, solidifying for a split second into the shape of a nightmare given flesh. My Darkrai, a being of absolute loyalty, listened without question.
I gave him a telepathic command as I didn't want any interference of me bonding with Riolu to go to waste, 'The Ranger. A quick, quiet nap. Nothing more.'
*Wooosh*
A single eye blinked in acknowledgement before dissolving back into the shadows, which slithered silently through the undergrowth…
*Thud*
I heard a soft thud a moment later, followed by a deep, unnatural silence. Job well done Darkrai.
I turned my full attention back to the Riolu, which was now mere feet away, sniffing my hand cautiously. Its eyes never left my rainbow aura. I could feel its own, a small, frightened, but powerful aura, resonating with mine.
It was like two tuning forks finding the same impossible frequency. In one swift, gentle motion, I scooped the Riolu into my arms. It was surprisingly light. It flinched but didn't struggle, its gaze locked on my face.
*Shiii*
As I held it, I channeled the Viridian Force directly into its wounds. The Riolu let out a sigh of relief as the pain receded, the energy knitting flesh and soothing bruised muscles.
I said softly, thinking of the old man from the vision of Riolu's memories, "Your old trainer... he was a good man. He wanted you to find a partner who was worthy. But staying in that kingdom... it would be a cage for a spirit as bright as yours. You're meant for more."
I looked down at the Pokémon in my arms as I decided to be blunt and honest, "So, what do you say? Come with me. I can't promise you an easy life, but I can promise you a life full of adventure. And I will protect you with everything I have. My strength, my team, my life... they're all yours if you'll have them."
Riolu's eyes widened. For a moment, it was still…
*Flash*
Then, a faint blue light emanated from its body, wrapping around my head. The world dissolved into a brief, vivid vision.
A small wooden house. An old man with kind, wrinkled hands holding a small, wooden carving of a Riolu. He presses it into the paws of the Riolu. His old voice echoes in our minds, 'Go on, my friend. Find the one your heart tells you is right. A trainer with a spirit as vast as the sky.'
The vision faded, leaving me staring into Riolu's expectant eyes. I smiled softly, asking, "He told you to trust your heart, didn't he?"
Riolu gave a shy, hesitant nod. I said calmly, adjusting my grip, "Good. Then let's get moving before any more trouble finds us."
We had taken only a few steps out of the densest part of the forest when the roar of an engine cut through the air. A sleek, black, armored vehicle burst through the trees, kicking up dirt and leaves. It screeched to a halt in front of us, blocking our path.
*THUD*
The side door slid open, and two men in dark tactical gear stepped out. One of them sneered, his eyes fixed on the Riolu in my arms, "Well, well, Hunter J was right. The little package is with the 'Legendary Trainer.' Hand it over, kid. Make this easy on yourself."
Riolu trembled, burying its face in my chest. I could feel its fear.
The thugs from Hunter J's organization. I'd read about them, seen them in the show. They were scum.
My expression hardened. I held Riolu a little tighter.
The other thug said, pulling a Poké Ball from his belt, "You heard the boss. Don't make us ask again."
I ignored them, looking down at Riolu. Its wide, scared eyes met mine. I gave it a reassuring squeeze as my eyes flared with an aura.
I said calmly, my voice dropping to a low, dangerous tone as I looked at the two men, "Remember what I said? I gave you my word. And no one takes what's mine."
I didn't give them a chance to respond. I said coldly, my voice cutting through the tension like a razor, "Darkrai, arise."
*THUMP*
The air grew cold. The sunlight seemed to dim.
From my shadow, my partner Pokémon emerged fully, its body a void of black that seemed to drink the light, its crimson eye glowing with malevolent power. The two thugs froze, their bravado melting into sheer terror.
I gave one command, "Dark Void."
*BOOOM*
Darkrai raised its arms. A swirling vortex of black and purple energy erupted from the ground, engulfing the Crobat that one of the thugs had just sent out.
*Thud*
The Bat Pokémon didn't even have time to screech before it crumpled to the ground, lost in a nightmare sleep. The other thug, panicking, threw another Poké Ball in a panicked tone, "Crobat, get it!"
*Pop*
A second Crobat materialized, lunging at Darkrai with a screech. Darkrai didn't even move as I telepathically commanded, 'Strong Style Psychic.'
*SHIII*
It simply stared, and an invisible wave of psychic force slammed into the Crobat, sending it spinning out of the air to land in a heap next to its partner. The Crobat fell hard, instantly getting knocked out.
*Wooosh*
*CRACK*
*THUD*
The air was silent save for the panicked breathing of the two men. Riolu stared, its eyes wide with awe. It could feel the immense aura radiating from Darkrai—a terrifying, powerful storm of a presence.
But more than that, it could feel the thread connecting Darkrai to me. A bond of absolute trust, a connection that ran deeper than friendship. It was a bond forged in battles and shared victories.
I commanded, my voice devoid of any warmth, "The second hand."
*Woooosh*
Darkrai obliged. It swept its arm, and a new wave of dark energy washed over the men. They crumpled like puppets with their strings cut, falling into a deep, unnatural slumber beside their Pokémon.
*Thud*
I looked down at the Riolu, who was now staring at me with a look of profound shock and respect. I let my voice return to its normal, calmer tone, "I'll teach you how to be that strong. I'll teach you how to protect yourself and those you care about. I'll teach you everything I know."
I offered it my hand, palm open as I continued, "So, again... will you join me in my journey?"
Riolu looked from my hand to my face, to the sleeping forms of the thugs, and finally to the imposing figure of Darkrai, which was now regarding it with a neutral, almost curious gaze. Riolu thought of its old trainer's wishes as I used my Viridian Force to sense its intentions, genuinely curious.
It thought of the Lucario Kingdom, a place of honor, but also of stagnation. It looked at me, a human who wielded the power of a god, who commanded the lord of nightmares, and who had offered it not just power, but protection.
Its instincts screamed that this was the path. That if it walked away now, it would spend the rest of its life regretting the missed opportunity. It saw a future with me that was brighter and wilder than anything it could have imagined.
Slowly, deliberately, Riolu raised its paw and placed it in my open hand. Its eyes shone with a fierce determination as I listened to Riolu's voice via its aura, "Ri… Riolu! (I… I… I Riolu accept!)"
A genuine smile spread across my face as I replied excitedly, "Welcome to the team, partner."
As if on cue, the sky above was suddenly cast in shadow. I looked up. A massive, insect-like aircraft, the signature vessel of the world's most notorious Pokémon poacher, hovered over the clearing. Hunter J.
My smile didn't falter. If anything, it became a little wider. I muttered to my team, "Looks like the welcoming committee is here."
*Fwp*
Below, another vehicle and a Salamence landed, disgorging more of her goons. Hunter J herself emerged, her long purple hair whipping in the rotor wash, a cruel smirk on her face as if eyeing me as prey.
She called out, her voice amplified by some hidden speaker, "Azure Sky. The boy who broke the mold. The one who owns a Celebi."
Her eyes locked onto the Riolu in my arms as she grinned smugly, stating, "You've been causing me quite a bit of trouble. But it ends now. That Riolu is my client's property. Hand it over, and I might let you keep your other precious Pokémon."
I just shook my head, a low chuckle escaping my lips. I had faced down criminal syndicates, elemental terrorists, elite trainers who could shatter mountains, and even the creators of the universe.
A woman with a Salamence and a bad attitude wasn't even in the top ten. I said bluntly, my voice clear and calm, carrying across the clearing, "J right? You have no idea what you're asking for. You think I'm just some kid who got lucky?"
I shifted my stance, holding Riolu securely with one arm. Pikachu hopped back onto my shoulder, sparks flying from his cheeks. Eevee stood tall on my head, a low growl in her throat.
From my jacket, the Pichu (Mew) stirred, a faint pink aura flickering around it. And at my feet, Darkrai solidified once more, its single eye burning with promises of oblivion.
I said calmly, my own aura flaring to life, a brilliant rainbow that made Hunter J's smirk falter for the first time, "You should have run while you had the chance. Because anyone who tries to steal from me... learns the meaning of a real nightmare."
Hunter J's smirk finally vanished, replaced by a scowl as she called my bluff, "You're making a mistake, boy."
I replied, a grin spreading across my face, "No. I think you are."
The battle was about to begin. And for once, I'm thinking of cutting loose.
/////
A/N: Hope you liked the chapter!