Hunter had the dream again. Only this time it was longer and when he went back to sleep, it continued.
Lucario and he were facing Dialga and Palkia. Bright flashes of light erupted from both of the deities, and Lucario and Hunter dodged them, counterattacking wildly but not doing any serious damage.
Dialga roared and dozens of yellow balls of light flew from the crest on its head, zooming towards Hunter. He managed to dodge most of them, but one came straight towards him. Lucario's Aura Sphere stopped it. As Hunter turned back to Dialga, he saw a bright blue beam coming right at him. All of a sudden, a shape ran out in front of him. Lucario.
"Nooooo!"
A bright yellow flash signaled the ending of the dream.
Hunter managed to keep from screaming as he woke up this time. He was drenched in sweat, and as he ran a hand across his mouth, he looked at Lucario. The Pokémon was facing him, his eyes open.
He didn't say anything, merely rolling over.
Hunter wiped a hand across his face again, and went back into a fitful, restless sleep.
The next morning, Lucario was showing him how to use his Aura to allow him to move objects. They were moving small objects, such as twigs, and small rocks.
No! Lucario snapped as the twig they were practicing with dropped to the ground for the fifth time. Concentrate! You need to keep your mind focused on the object if you want to move it!
Hunter didn't even try to speak. You probably haven't dwelled on my dreams like I have! I'm sure that you were able to learn everything about your Aura from your parents before you went off on your own! I still don't fully understand this and I didn't even want it!
Lucario narrowed his eyes. I've thought about your dreams, and if you think you know enough right now, would you care to fight me?
Hunter sighed. No. I'll try to concentrate this time.
They made little progress throughout the day, though Hunter managed to lift the twig as the sun was setting. Lucario sighed and shook his head. Maybe we need something to take your mind off of your dreams. I've been all over this valley and I know a spot where we can relax for a day. No training, no scolding, nothing to do with learning whatsoever. We'll go tomorrow.
Hunter nodded. "Sounds nice."
Lucario nodded and gave a small smile. It is. You'll see.
Hunter went into bed that night, and, despite hearing a small cracking noise in his mind, dreamed of nothing all night.
The next morning, Lucario and Hunter, with Buizel in tow, jumped down the mountain. Buizel, on Hunter's shoulder, was jolted violently around until Hunter returned it to its Poké Ball.
Lucario jumped on top of the cable car going down the mountain, and Hunter got inside. He was very conscious of all of the stares he was getting. I really need a bath soon.
As the cable car came to a stop, Lucario jumped off of the roof and waited in the woods for Hunter.
They both ran east, where the sun was rising. Eventually, they came to a very isolated waterfall. Difficult to access for any human without either a flying Pokémon or climbing gear, but merely a small workout for Hunter and Lucario. Hunter immediately lay down with his back against a tree to begin sketching the spot. The pencil felt strange between his fingers, due to him not being able to sketch anything for a long time. When he had finished sketching the waterfall, he began lifting a small stone off the ground. It stayed solidly in the air this time, and moved easily when he willed it to.
Lucario, meditating under the waterfall, opened one eye to watch Hunter. Eventually, the human lifted a large branch, throwing it against a boulder. The branch shattered.
Emboldened, Hunter walked across the clearing to a large rock that came up to his knees, and, with a small amount of effort, lifted it. He made it move a few inches, then concentrated more. The rock, which had been shaking in the air, suddenly stabilized. Hunter started spinning, and the rock followed him until he made it fly into the water, sending up a large wave. Lucario chuckled, then closed his eye again.
Hunter jumped into the water, swimming around with Buizel.
Underwater, he got an idea. Swimming around the rocks that Lucario was sitting on, he surfaced, then pushed his teacher into the water.
Lucario surfaced, spluttering. He looked at Hunter, his long ears drooping from the amount of water soaked into his fur. Hunter was laughing.
Lucario gave a small smile. For most of the day, he and Hunter both swam in the water and practiced their skills.
At lunch on the same day, Hunter looked at Lucario's customary pile of berries. "Don't you ever get tired of eating berries?"
Sometimes. Then I try something else. Like… he looked around, spotting an apple tree. Using his Aura, he plucked an apple from the branch. Apples. Whenever I tire of eating berries, I switch to fruit until I get sick of it.
Come to think of it, Hunter recalled Lucario switching from fruit to berries and back again sometimes. He brightened. "I think I have something you might like."
He pulled a bar of chocolate out of his backpack and tore the paper off of it, breaking a piece off.
Lucario cocked his head. What is that?
"It's chocolate. Trust me, it's good."
He handed a piece to Lucario. "Go on, eat it. It won't poison you."
Lucario took a small bite off of the chocolate, giving a small, surprised grunt at the unfamiliar flavor.
Hunter looked at him expectantly as he chewed on his own piece. "Well?" he said with a full mouth.
Lucario took a big bite out of the piece. Hunter laughed, falling on his back as Lucario stuffed the remainder of his piece in his mouth.
That day, they were returning to the glade. Lucario led the way, Hunter right behind him. "What are we doing tomorrow?"
We'll practice how fast you are. There's a canyon around here where Rock Pokémon like to toss rocks into a canyon. That's where we're going tomorrow.
"Charming. Any other perks I should know about?"
There are hot water veins running through the ground. They could erupt at any time. That'll test how fast you are as well.
Great, Hunter thought. One day of rest now we're back to death-defying stunts.