Inside the orchard.
Riolu weakly propped herself on the ground—panting.
Though her Aura Power had burst forth in crisis—facing so many Spinarak and the Ariados leader alone—she was ultimately outnumbered.
Hidden in the dim shadows of the fruit trees—the Ariados leader looked at the exhausted Riolu—gaze cold.
Living in the wild for years—they naturally adhered to the law of the jungle. While they wouldn't kill—they would gang up to make her completely lose the ability to fight.
"Roo~"
Using [Aura Sphere] once more to repel the Spinarak in front—Riolu felt her eyelids growing heavier and heavier.
Without a Trainer's command—trying to defeat this group of invaders—resistant to Fighting-type moves—and protect the orchard alone—was clearly an impossible task.
Just as Riolu strained to support her body—watching helplessly as dozens of [Pin Missile] attacks sliced through the air toward her—
A voice she knew incredibly well suddenly rang out.
"Gardevoir—use Psychic."
"Liiiss~"
The Spinarak at the very front let out a wail—directly sent flying backward—crashing to the ground.
"Roo~"
Riolu—surprised—looked up.
The Black-haired Youth standing in the sunlight—shining brightly.
Wade looked at the Berry fields—though a bit messy—hadn't been badly damaged—then at the blue-haired puppy whose eyes were sparkling because of his arrival—chuckled softly.
"Riolu—thank you very much for helping us protect the orchard."
Even though it was their first formal meeting—he suddenly felt a familiar and kind feeling.
Not the childhood sweetheart familiarity with Gardevoir—but a fated connection—like the thrill of finally seeing the true face of someone he had known intimately in spirit for a long time.
Their Auras were too compatible.
Wade cast his gaze toward the Ariados leader and the Spinarak swarm—clearly startled by Gardevoir's powerful Psychic—fallen into a stalemate—no longer easily attacking.
Best approach—not "kill them all"—but capture them—turn them into allies.
If raised on the farm—collect high-quality spider silk—sell to Uncle Yoshino—or use for fishing gear and high-end clothing when expanding the company.
An excellent choice.
"Riolu—you just rest well on the side. I'll take care of—"
With the idea of capturing the invading Spinarak swarm—Wade was about to instruct Gardevoir to step forward—when he suddenly felt his clothes tugged urgently.
He shifted his gaze—met sparkling pupils.
Even though she could barely stand—he could still clearly feel the burning fighting spirit within her.
"You… you still want to continue fighting, don't you?"
Wade looked at Riolu—trembling but standing up with a determined expression—couldn't help but be momentarily stunned.
Though the system's mission was for him to fight alongside Riolu to defeat the orchard invaders—any normal Trainer—seeing this blue-haired puppy on the verge of losing ability to fight—would surely not drive her into battle like a puppet.
This was why Wade initially told Riolu to retreat and rest—intending to send Gardevoir to wipe out the swarm.
It just seemed now—this blue-haired puppy's sense of justice and competitive spirit were quite strong.
"Alright then—"
Wade gently placed his hand on Riolu's shoulder—meeting her hopeful gaze.
"The task of guarding the orchard is entirely entrusted to you. I will fight alongside you—until the very last moment—until a victor is decided."
The biggest difference between wild and domesticated Pokémon—is whether they have a Trainer to command them.
Whether it's reasonable application of type advantages—or battle situation judgment—a qualified Trainer's involvement produces a "1+1 is greater than 2" effect.
Even more important than rational battle command—is to understand and affirm a Pokémon's feelings.
A creed Wade always upheld.
It truly conveyed itself into Riolu's heart.
"Hiss~"
Darkrai—lightly peeking from the Trainer's shadow—blinked—seemingly sensing something.
Their overly compatible Auras—combined with the desire to fight—enveloped this exhausted blue-haired puppy—filled with fighting spirit—in a dazzling white light of evolution.
The power of bonds—will reward every Pokémon and Trainer who believes in it.
[Name: Lucario]
[Type: Fighting / Steel]
[Level: 35]
[Ability: Justified] – When hit by a Dark-type move—Attack rises due to sense of justice.
[Moves]: Aura Sphere, Copycat, Feint, Reversal, Bone Rush, Swords Dance, Close Combat, Metal Claw, Brick Break, Flash Cannon
[Egg Moves]: High Jump Kick, Cross Chop, Bullet Punch
[Equipped Traits]: None
"Lucario~"
As the sound of air current ripples echoed—Lucario appeared under the colorful light screen—eyes sharp.
Aura Power overflowing around her—completely connected her to the Trainer behind her.
In the Pokémon world—every Pokémon after evolving—temporarily gains a burst state.
No matter how severe previous injuries—all negative effects caused by exhaustion—completely wiped away.
If Lucario wanted to personally defeat the Ariados and Spinarak swarm—she would have to finish the battle quickly.
Wade suppressed the urge to congratulate her—instantly entering battle command mode.
"Lucario—after Swords Dance—use Bullet Punch."
"Liss~"
Facing the opponent's sudden ground-stomping attack—the awakened Spinarak swarm shot Pin Missile from their mouths.
Lucario weaved like a nimble dragon through the layers of earth waves.
Turn. Jump. Dodge.
Swords Dance —Attack stat +2.
An incessant cacophony of explosions and sharp noises.
Pin Missile—like surging waves—brushed past her ears—blasting splinters from tree trunks.
Lucario was faster than these opponents preparing to weave a net.
Her silver-white fist wind—transformed into an afterimage—instantly sent all obstructing Spinarak flying.
[Bullet Punch] : A punch as fast and hard as a bullet. Always strikes first.
"Watch out for the String Shot attack from above."
Noticing the silver light suddenly flashing from among the tree canopies—Wade called out loudly.
Besides the Ariados leader waiting on the ground—many Spinarak had taken the opportunity to hide in fruit tree branches—attempting to restrict the opponent's offense with an aerial, top-down String Shot.
If Lucario were hit and enveloped by these webs—her speed would be greatly reduced—she would undoubtedly be instantly swarmed—losing battle capability.
"Break them with Bone Club!"
"Lucario~"
In an instant—a Bone Club of her own height condensed in her hand.
Accompanied by the loud whooshing sound of it being thrown—dozens of spider webs spread from the fruit tree canopy—completely pierced through.
A blue-black figure zipped close to the ground beneath the web fragments—shattering into countless sparkling silver threads.
Three seconds.
Two seconds.
One second.
The surroundings seemed to freeze—utterly silent.
Only the pounding of her heart—and the Ariados leader getting closer.
The Bone Club—which had blocked all aerial attacks—spun and fell—perfectly caught by Lucario's single hand as she flashed forward.
"Liss!"
The Ariados leader—waiting in a frontal stance—instinctively panicked.
Its lowered head's sharp horn—tore through stagnant air—condensing into a dazzling cold star in the sunlight.
[Megahorn] : Attacks the target by powerfully ramming it with its hard and magnificent horn.
"Lucario—use Bone Rush."
"Lucario~"
Accompanied by a strong Aura signal—Lucario's movements synchronized with her Trainer's command.
Free hands pressed downward—trailing afterimage suddenly lowered its center of gravity.
The Bone Club then swept upward—erupting with terrifying light—as she moved with wide, powerful swings.
Their minds—one.
[Bone Rush] : Attacks the target by beating it with a hard bone. Can attack 2–5 times in a row.
Spider web fragments on the ground—gently swirled.
Even tender leaves of the tree canopy—were cut into fine gold foil under the sunlight.
And Lucario—the instigator—had sharp eyes.
The moment the Bone Club was fully swung—air currents—like endless surging waves—roared and raged!