"Why are we here Master?" the lucario queried.

"A rather philosophical question don't you think?" the trainer answered jokingly.

"I mean why are we going to New Bark Town?"

"To see Professor Elm, his recent publication has got me thinking."

"Chris, we are supposed to be on vacation," the lucario growled.

"How is this not a vacation Luke?" The lucario fell silent and looked ahead. New Bark town was coming up. Good thing too, only two hours from sunset and Luke was looking forward to sleeping in a real bed tonight.

As they walked into town, Officer Jenny looked at the newcomers. She stared for a long moment before returning to polishing her police motorcycle. Just a trainer and his Pokémon she concluded. A bizarre Pokémon though, clearly not from around here and wearing a trench coat. I'll keep an eye on that one.

It was a reasonable first impression; Chris was dressed like an ordinary trainer from the t-shirt and blue jeans to the stereotypical large backpack. Luke followed just behind him just like any loyal Pokémon would. Unlike most loyal Pokémon, Luke wore a long tan trench coat and a pair of black boots. Then again Luke was not ordinary; he was slightly more than five feet tall with a sharp mind and tongue to match. Luke was not one to be underestimated those who did, trainers or Pokémon, rarely lasted long.

Luke gave his master a grin. Chris looked at him and shook his head. "Having fun messing with another Jenny's mind Luke?" Luke just kept grinning.

They were almost to the hotel when a boy ran up to them. "Hey mister is that your Pokémon?" he ask excited to see the exotic lucario. "I got my first today." He held up his poke ball with pride.

"Yes he is mine, but he is more of a son to me really…" Chris answered hoping to distract the kid and avoid the inevitable…

"Wanta battle?"

Before Chris could even answer Luke had unbuttoned his coat, thrown it on the ground and taken his battling stance. "Let's take this someplace less crowed" Chris advised while picking up and dusting off Luke's coat.

They walked to a nearby dirt arena by the Pokémon center. The kid turned and said "My name is Joey and I am going to be a Pokémon master." He drew his poke ball "Go Cyndaquil."

"Name's Chris." Chris stared at Cyndaquil. A fire pokemon, young from the looks of it. Go easy on it Luke.

Luke looked back at Chris and exchanged a quick glance. Don't worry Master, I will.

Cyndaquil showed no fear and charged Luke when his master gave the order to tackle him. Cyndaquil ran as fast as he could, but as far as Luke was concerned, Cyndaquil might have well been standing still.

Luke disappeared just to reappear standing on a nearby stone wall erected no doubt to protect nearby buildings from stray attacks. Joey then ordered an ember attack. But by the time Cyndaquil had got the attack off, Luke was gone again.

Chris just watched the show. Luke is testing them, training them. They seem to work well together, trust each other… good. Cyndaquil is fast, given its lack of experience. Does not give up either, just like its trainer. Hmm… they may really be something someday.

Cyndaquil was wearing out. Before long the fire type collapsed, exhausted by his efforts to catch the illusive lucario. Joey ran out on the field and picked his friend off the ground. Luke reappeared by his master's side. Had he not been breathing slightly harder, there would have been no sign he had fought at all.

Joey looked up at the trainer and his Pokémon. "How did your lucario know what to do? You gave him no orders."

"I did not need to. After all the time we have been together I did not need to tell him what I wanted him to do."

"But why did he not attack?"

Chris glanced at Luke. Luke flicked his wrist sideways sending a tiny aura sphere into the stone wall. Upon contact with the wall, the blue sphere of energy detonated blowing a man sized hole in the wall. Joey and Cyndaquil's mouths hit the floor.

Chris gave them a moment to regain their composure. "The two of you have great potential. The most important thing you two will need is trust in yourselves and each other. Joey take good care of Cyndaquil. Feed him. Care for his injuries. Treat him like family. As long as Cyndaquil does his best praise him even when he loses."

Luke continued. "This goes for you too Cyndaquil. Protect your trainer. Stand by him even when he makes mistakes. Help him learn from them. As long as you two work together and trust each other you both will do fine."

"Now take Cyndaquil to the Pokémon Center. He needs some food and rest, but he should be back to normal by tomorrow," Chris concluded.

They said their goodbyes and went their separate ways. Joey ran to the Pokémon Center with his Cyndaquil in his arms. Chris and Luke walked at a leisurely pace toward their hotel.

"So how did I do Master?" Luke ask. Chris placed a hand on the lucario's head and rubbed it gently against Luke's fur. Chris need not have bothered, his aura said more than any head rub could convey.

Chris looked down at his friend. "There is an all-you-can-eat restaurant by the hotel; I checked when I made the reservation." Chris felt Luke's ears perk up. Chris did not need to read Luke's aura to know how he felt about that.