Veilstone City was always a bit too grey for Julian's taste—all jagged rock and cold wind—but for Aura, it was just home. After a grueling few days in Solaceon Town, she finally stood in front of the massive, imposing gates of the Veilstone Gym.
She wasn't here for a badge; she already had the Cobble Badge pinned to her jacket. She was here on a delivery mission that had been nagging at the back of her mind for days.
"Aura? You lost?"
Aura turned to see He Zhi, one of the Gym's senior apprentices, walking toward the entrance. He had a towel over his shoulder and looked like he'd just finished a three-hour sparring session.
"He Zhi! No, I'm not lost. I just have a delivery to make," Aura said, reaching into her bag.
"A delivery? To Maylene? She's currently in the middle of a hundred-rep set, so unless it's a protein shake, it can wait," He Zhi joked.
"Actually, it's not for the Leader. It's for... Lucario." Aura pulled out a crisp, red-and-white striped envelope. "A trainer named Julian asked me to hand-deliver this. He was pretty specific about it."
He Zhi's eyebrows shot up. "Julian? Oh! The Fairy-type guy? The one who fought Maylene into a standstill and then spent half his vacation meditating in the private courtyard? I remember him." He reached out and took the letter, a grin spreading across his face. "He and Lucario were like two peas in a pod by the time he left. I'll make sure it gets to the 'Master'."
"Lucario? A 'Master'?" Aura asked, her curiosity finally winning out. "How well did Julian actually know that Pokémon? I've never seen a Lucario take a letter from a human before."
"Better than most," He Zhi replied, looking at the envelope with interest. "He didn't just challenge the Gym; he practically lived here for a week. He even left behind a specialized Pokéblock recipe specifically for Lucario's Aura-sensitive palate. They have a... connection. You know how Aura Guardians are."
"Aura Guardian?" Aura blinked. "Julian? He's just a researcher who's way too obsessed with his Pokémon's diet."
"Maybe," He Zhi laughed. "But Lucario doesn't spend four hours a day meditating with 'just a researcher.' Anyway, thanks for the delivery. You staying for a match?"
"I wish! I've gotta get home and check on Paul. He's probably managed to insult half the neighborhood by now," Aura said, already turning to leave.
"That kid..." He Zhi shook his head as he watched her sprint away.
Inside the Gym's inner sanctum, the air was heavy with the scent of incense and the hum of focused energy. Lucario sat cross-legged in the center of the stone floor, his eyes closed, his blue fur rippling slightly as he sensed a presence at the door.
Lucario~ (Enter.)
The telepathic pulse was faint but clear. He Zhi pushed the door open, feeling the sudden drop in temperature that always accompanied Lucario's deep meditation.
"Master Lucario, you've got mail," He Zhi said, holding the letter out with both hands. "Sent from Snowpoint, looks like. From Julian."
The Lucario's eyes snapped open—piercing, intelligent, and ruby-red. He stood up in one fluid motion and took the envelope.
"I'll leave you to it," He Zhi said, bowing slightly before retreating and closing the heavy stone door.
Lucario carefully broke the wax seal. He didn't use his claws; he used a delicate flick of Aura to slide the parchment out. As he began to read, his stoic expression flickered with something that looked suspiciously like a smirk.
To the 'Master' of the Veilstone Gym:
By the time this reaches you, I'm probably buried under ten feet of Snowpoint slush or currently being lectured by a Nurse Joy. I'm writing to let you know that my Aura has finally stabilized—mostly because my partners won't let me keep secrets anymore even if I tried.
But let's get one thing straight: you are a massive jerk for not mentioning the 'emotional leakage' phase. I had a literal meltdown in front of everyone. My 'Cool Specialist' image is basically dead and buried now, thanks to you. (T_T)
I've noted the resentment in my journal! When we meet again—and we will—I'm going to beat you in a fair fight. And after I win? I'm going to vigorously rub your ears and poke your paw-pads until you regret ever teaching me how to sense feelings. You've been warned!
...On a serious note... thank you. Truly. Being able to hear them—really hear them—changed everything. Also, our new friend hatched! It's a Carbink. Not exactly a Sinnoh native, but he fits right in with this chaotic family.
P.S. Enclosed is a photo of the 'victims' of your training, plus a new spicy-mint Pokéblock recipe. Try not to get too addicted.
Lucario looked at the photo tucked behind the letter. It was a messy, candid shot of Julian being tackled by Growlithe and Sylveon, while Floette hovered in the background looking smug.
The Lucario let out a soft huff of amusement. Beat me first, Aura Guardian, he thought, his own Aura glowing with a competitive fire. I'll be waiting. And I'll be much faster next time.
Meanwhile, in the Snowpoint Pokémon Center, the atmosphere was much less dignified.
"Woof woof! (Listen to me, you walking disaster! You can't just faint in the middle of a sentence!)" Growlithe was still pacing at the foot of the bed, even though Julian had finished his breakfast.
"I said I was sorry!" Julian protested, leaning back against the pillows. "I just got caught up in the moment. I wanted you guys to have a great victory meal."
"Florges-sound! (A great meal? You almost died into the gravy!)" Floette chirped from her perch on the IV pole. "Florges! (If you do that again, I'm calling the Professor myself and telling him you aren't fit to own a Pokedex!)"
"Floe~! (She's right, you know! Cooking while your brain is melting isn't 'love,' it's just bad management!)" Sylveon added, her ribbons giving Julian's arm a firm, corrective squeeze.
"Jia-gei! (You looked like a zombie! A cold, shivering zombie!)" Togetic added.
"Mishi! (Carbink was so scared it almost turned back into a rock!)"
Julian scratched his head, looking at his five furious, loving partners. "Okay, okay. Lesson learned. From now on, if I feel even a little sniffle, I'm going straight to bed. No cooking, no training, just rest. Deal?"
"Woof! (Better be a deal!)"
Sylveon looked at Julian's drooping eyelids. She could still see the faint traces of the fever's exhaustion lingering in his eyes. Without a word, she hopped onto the bed and sat right next to his shoulder.
"Syl-veon~ (Shut up and sleep. We aren't going anywhere.)"
She didn't even use a Move this time; she just let out a long, heavy yawn of her own. Julian didn't stand a chance. The combination of a full stomach, a warm room, and Sylveon's proximity acted like a literal switch.
"Yeah... maybe a quick... nap..." Julian's head hit the pillow, and he was out before he could finish the sentence.
One by one, the team settled in. Growlithe climbed onto the foot of the bed, his warm body acting like a weighted blanket. Floette curled up in the crook of Julian's elbow, and Togetic and Carbink tucked themselves into the folds of the duvet.
When Chansey came in ten minutes later to clear the trays, she stopped in the doorway. The room was silent, filled only with the rhythmic, peaceful breathing of a human and his Pokémon, all tangled together in a messy, protective heap.
"Lucky~" she whispered, her voice a soft blessing. She quietly took the trays, dimmed the lights, and closed the door on the most peaceful scene in Snowpoint.