"Natsume-sensei..." Ash blinked, his nose twitching.

In the description for the [Insulated Gloves (Enhanced Version)], a faint line of text stood easily overlooked: [Capable of channeling Aura.]

If Squirtle could pass its Ripple Aura through Natsume, then he, too, could become a conduit.

"Sounds like it's gonna hurt..."

Natsume shook his head—but turned back anyway. "Squirtle, lend me your Aura!"

"Squirtle!" Squirtle froze, then shook its head violently.

"It's fine." Natsume smiled gently.

Maybe the outcome wouldn't change.

He stared at his fingerless gloves, resolve hardening.

But I, Natsume-sensei... never leave regrets behind!

Squirtle watched Natsume's back.

Through their bond, it felt his conviction—clear as daylight.

Just like Sir Aaron and Ash... he'd made his choice.

Memories flashed before Squirtle's eyes.

"Squirtle..."

With its cautious personality, Squirtle would normally never dive into such danger.

But this time—

Its gaze steadied.

Crack!

The Everstone around its neck shattered completely.

"Squirtle! ヾ(■_■)"

Then, it tossed aside its sunglasses.

Lucario's eyes widened. With it here... we might actually—

"But it's still not enough!" Lucario tried to shove Squirtle back.

Squirtle blocked the push effortlessly. "Squirtle?"

Not enough?

Then I'll just get stronger!

Blinding light erupted from Squirtle's body.

A shockwave of energy blasted outward.

Lucario staggered. "That's... Evolution light?!"

But this intensity—how long has it been stockpiling power?!

The Tree of Beginning glowed under the radiant aura, its energy surging wildly.

"Natsume-sensei..." Ash gulped.

Natsume's eyes flickered.

Maybe... if a Trainer entrusted their hopes to a Pokémon, it would answer.

Whether it was Sir Aaron and Lucario reconciling across millennia...

Or Ash shielding Pikachu from a horde of frenzied Pokémon...

Natsume looked down at Squirtle, bathed in light.

A slow smile spread across his face.

This... is the beauty of humans and Pokémon.

Meeting, bonding, trusting—

Suddenly, Lucario shoved Ash—dragging Natsume down with him.

Ash no longer needed to risk himself.

Lucario turned.

Within the shimmering glow, Squirtle's form expanded.

Even after evolving into Wartortle... the light didn't stop.

D-double Evolution?!

Just how much strength has this guy been holding back?!

Lucario swallowed hard.

With Ripple Aura... plus the explosive energy of Evolution...

We might actually pull this off.

"D-double Evolution?!" Ash gasped.

He'd heard rumors—Yellow once forced a Caterpie to evolve twice using Viridian Aura.

Senior Gold's Togepi had broken through twice to battle a deity...

But witnessing Natsume-sensei's Squirtle erupt with Ripple Aura and evolve consecutively?

Words failed him.

Maybe... Ash clenched his fists.

With Natsume-sensei here, we really can save Lucario!

Natsume sighed fondly. "That's just how my turtle rolls."

While its Ripple Aura still couldn't match Lucario's...

The sheer energy from two Evolutions more than compensated.

Evolution fully restores HP and PP, after all.

And this happened twice!

"Talk about overprepared!"

Natsume actually felt relieved.

Glancing at Lucario, he smiled.

Now that Squirtle evolved...

Lucario won't have to sacrifice itself.

Ash bit his lip.

So this is why Professor Oak sent Natsume-sensei with me.

My Aura control is child's play compared to his!

"Natsume-sensei," Ash whispered, "was this whole thing... a test you and Professor Oak planned?"

Remembering Natsume's earlier "evaluation" comment, Ash grew suspicious.

Maybe this crisis...

Was orchestrated to test if I'm worthy of being a Pokédex holder!

He grinned.

Good thing I didn't disappoint!

Natsume's mouth opened—

Then his face paled.

Wait.

How many Potions will it take to recover after double Evolution?!

Mystic Water won't cut it this time!

But one thing was certain:

I'm treating Squirtle to a feast when we get back.

The Tree of Beginning pulsed with revitalized Aura, its glow gentle and warm.

"Lucario!!" Lucario clasped its paws, hurling a massive orb of light toward Mew.

"Blastoise."

With a smug grin, Blastoise hefted an Aura Sphere at least 30% larger and jerked its chin at Lucario.

Lucario's eye twitched. It strained to amplify its own.

Yet no matter how hard it pushed, Blastoise's sphere remained just bigger.

Lucario stared in despair.

This guy... has no limits?!

"Mew~!!" Mew flailed its tiny arms.

That's enough! These are too big!

But the combined Aura Spheres surged into the Tree's trunk anyway.

In an instant, the Tree flourished—vibrant green energy breathing life into everything.

Winter reversed.

Barren branches sprouted summer blossoms under the overwhelming Ripple Aura...

Natsume's expression twisted.

Did that Aura Sphere just... overfill the Tree?!

Never change, Blastoise.

"After evolving into Blastoise..."

He recalled the colossal energy sphere and muttered, "Did its Aura Sphere evolve into a Spirit Bomb too?"

Outside the Tree's core...

The Three Regis, battered from their standoff with Steven, exchanged glances and slunk away.

Steven—his usually immaculate appearance frayed—leaned against a crystal, exhaling.

"This time... Natsume-sensei saved me."

Remembering the Evolution light, he pondered.

The only one in his team with Aura potential was that Squirtle...

If it evolved...

His fingers brushed the Mega Stone in his pocket.

I owe him a proper gift.

...

The crisis had ended.

Lucario stood silently where Sir Aaron had taken his final rest, its gaze distant.

"Blastoise." The newly evolved Pokémon dusted off its sunglasses with one cannon before sliding them back on.

"Blastoise ヾ(■_■)"

The sheer big-shot energy was lightyears beyond its Squirtle days!

Though still adjusting, Natsume laughed and patted its enlarged shell. "You never cease to amaze me, Blastoise!"

"Blastoise." It smirked, then critically examined its own bulkier frame.

The shell had expanded significantly...

While this meant more surface area to protect, its defensive capabilities had skyrocketed.

Conclusion? Time to intensify Iron Defense training.

Ash approached Lucario, resting a hand on its shoulder.

Finally, he removed the gloves and placed them back where they belonged.

"Lucario." Ash extended his hand, smiling. "Will you travel with me?"

Lucario's pupils contracted.

Logic whispered: He's kind... but he'll never be Sir Aaron.

Yet another presence—gentle and warm—seemed to grip its shoulder in approval.

For some reason, Lucario felt a smile tug at its lips.

"Hmph!" It slapped Ash's palm away. "My duty remains at Cameran Palace—guarding Princess Irene."

Lucario glanced at Ash, rubbing its nose. "Though... should you need aid, or during League tournaments—"

"Yes!" Ash tackled it in a hug.

"Hey! Don't think I couldn't flatten you!"

Natsume watched the scene with folded arms, smiling.

Perhaps years later, Ash would catch his own Lucario.

But for now... this meeting had blossomed into something precious.

That alone was enough.

Natsume gazed skyward. "I want to see Cynthia again..."

"Mew~~!" Fully recovered, Mew nuzzled against Natsume's neck.

"Sylveon!" Sylveon's ribbon yanked the mythical Pokémon down.

Unfazed, Mew giggled. "Mew~~"

"If you're ever lonely," Natsume said, extending a hand to the pink feline, "come find me."

His grin turned playful. "I may not be much... but I'm a damn good gaming buddy!"

Mew tilted its head—then broke into mischievous giggles, lifting its tail.

A soft high-five sealed the pact.

Just then, the System's cheerful chime echoed:

[Ding! Quest "Mew & the Aura Warrior: Lucario" complete!]

[Reward: Special Talent "Aura of Ripple" unlocked!]

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