Luke squinted as Lucas moved out of his spot in front of him and the bright light of the end of the tunnel came into his eyes. He placed a paw over his eyes and they walked outside. Luke looked around and saw that this environment was much different than the one on the entrance of Mt. Coronet. There was a river running below them, the place covered with bamboo bridges that people could cross over. "This place is crawling with trainers ready for battle." Stated Aleu. Lucas made his own observation. "We're on a high cliff. Don't play stupid games like "jump-a-rock" and earn us a free trip to the hospital. Darkness, I'm talking to you." Darkness was pouting at the back, crossing his arms in annoyance. Lucas frowned. "Yeah yeah, whatever. Anyways stay with me, we're going to eventually have to battle people to get through." Luke approached Aleu. "What... exactly are battles?"
Aleu flinched. "Huh?! You don't know what pokémon battles are?!" Luke shrunk a bit. "Um... no, not really." Aleu sighed. "Ok, I'll explain. Pokémon battles are when two Pokemon engage in a battle and fight until one of them faints. It's very exciting though! That's what Lucas trains us to do. We do competitive battling." Luke listened to her explanation with interest. He said nothing, so Aleu figured she should keep talking. "We fight other trainers and their Pokemon that we find pretty much everywhere. It's a lot of fun, to me at least. You should try it! You know moves right? So you use those moves to battle with the opponent's Pokemon!" Luke's eyes lit up. Hey, maybe battling would be cool. Lucas was on ahead, when suddenly a mountain climber spotted him. "Hey! Kid! Can we battle?" He yelled from where he was.
Lucas seemed startled, but looked at Darkness, who was on his shoulder, and nodded at the man. "Alright, let's battle!" The man glanced at Lucas eagerly and reached to his belt and grabbed one of the capturing device Luke saw in the Galactic hideout. He pressed the button on it. The ball opened and a Geodude appeared, surrounded by red light. Lucas extended his arm to the ground. "Go Darkness!" Darkness used his arm as a bridge from his shoulder to the ground. He touched the ground in a very super-hero way, sounding his cry.
The mountain climber pointed at Geodude energetically. "Geodude, Defense Curl!" Lucas took a step back to give his Pokémon more space. "Darkness, Absorb!" Geodude curled himself into a ball, his body glowing blue. He then returned to normal, sounding his cry. It seemed that he was stronger somehow. Darkness on the other hand leaned forward, absorbing small lights from the ground and from Geodude. Geodude let out a growl and after Darkness was done, he fell to the ground, his body surrounded in red light and returning to its capture ball.
Lucas called out to Darkness. "Darkness, that's enough!" Darkness gladly retreated behind his trainer. The mountain climber reached to his belt for his second and last capture ball. "Go Onix!" He pressed the button on the ball and a large, rock snake-like creature appeared. Lucas's expression made it clear to Luke that he was in trouble. "Uh..." Lucas turned to Aleu, but she giggled and pushed Luke toward the giant rock snake. "Let him do it!" She signaled to Lucas.
Lucas seemed shocked. Aleu just nodded reassuringly, Luke with a "whatever you want to do" expression but with a pinch of fear in it too. Lucas reached for his "scanning machine", according to Luke. "Possible moves that Riolu know..." He scrolled down until his face lit up. He stared at Luke, conviction written all over his face. "Luke, try Force Palm!" Luke seemed confused about doing what he said for a moment, but decided to try it anyway. He drew his right paw behind him, starting to glow with light. The mountain climber realized this, and signaled to Onix. "Onix, Bind!" Lucas panicked a bit. "Go!" He yelled, and Luke's paw grew almost blinding with bright white light and in almost blinding speed, he hit Onix with it. Onix's body exploded in light. The Pokémon let out a single roar and fell to the ground, Luke falling on all fours a few seconds after it.
The mountain climber held his hands up in defeat. "Alright, alright, you win! Here you go." He popped a coin in Lucas's hand. Lucas just smiled and motioned for his Pokemon to come with him and continue the trail. Luke tagged behind, staring at his paw in disbelief. Lucas turned to Luke. "You were great! I didn't expect a Riolu to knock out an Onix in one turn!" Luke kept staring at his paw. Lucas was typing things furiously on his machine, probably about Luke's battle. Luke never knew that battling felt like this. The power, the pressure, the will to win. It felt... Incredible. He looked up at Lucas, his face full of wonder. Then Lucas understood. "...You've never done this before, have you?" Luke shook his head, still staring at Lucas. The human in question seemed stunned.
"But the way you used Force Palm, it seemed like you've done it millions of times before, but in fact you didn't." Luke nodded once, symbolizing agreement. Aleu stared at him in disbelief, as well as Darkness. After a few awkward seconds, Lucas cleared his throat. "So... Anyways, we should be getting to Hearthome city soon." He said while walking down the stairs that were cut through the rock to a grassy area that lead to a short tunnel. Luke climbed down the stairs after Darkness and Aleu. It was uncomfortably quiet. Lucas walked by a weird house. He stopped and read the sign outside. "Berry Master's House?" He reflected a bit. "We'll come by to see later. We need to get to Hearthome City." Darkness and Aleu nodded.
The quartet made it inside the tunnel. When Luke stepped outside, he didn't expect to see a city much larger than Eterna City. The sky was lined with tall buildings, and a gigantic circular building at the end of the city. Luke took the sights around him, marveled. Lucas suddenly let out a startled yelp. The three Pokemon with him turned around.
A small bunneary ran up to him, jumping around him and yelling its name. Lucas seemed like the most confused soul in the world. A split second later, a young woman came running up to him. She panted a bit, then grabbed one of the capture ball from her purse. "Thanks a lot, dude! Baby Bunneary, back into the Pokéball you go!" She held it up and bunneary was surrounded by red light and sucked back in.
Lucas looked at her in pure confusion. The young woman stared back for a few seconds until her face lit up. "Oh I'm sorry! I didn't even introduce myself! My name is Keira, I'm one of the judges in the Pokemon contests here in Hearthome city." She flicked her hair and winked. Lucas didn't seem at all affected but still acted amused. She cleared her throat. "Anyways, you should definitely come to the contest hall! Here, I'll show you!"
Lucas was about to protest, but she grabbed his wrist and started pulling him along through the streets. "But I need to-" Lucas started, but was quickly interrupted. "It's right this way!" She answered cheerfully. Darkness, Aleu and Luke were frantically chasing after him. They arrived at the doors of a giant colosseum-like building. Keira opened the doors and dragged Lucas inside. When the three Pokemon with the young trainer entered at last, a look of surprise took both Lucas's and Keira's faces. "Mom?!" Lucas exclaimed in disbelief.
An older woman at the counter of the contest hall heard him and turned around. She smiled and headed over to him. Keira had shock written all over her. "No way, Johanna is your mom?!" Johanna smiled at Keira. "It's been a while Keira." She looked back at Lucas, his jaw still dropped. "Well sweetie I was just bored back in Twinleaf then I decided to go on a little vacation to Hearthome by myself. Are you planning to participate in the contests?" Lucas returned to his normal self now. "Well not right now..."
Johanna crossed her arms. "Well if you are, not dressed like that!" Lucas stared at her blankly. She reached into her bag and pulled out an elegant suit. "It's a tuxedo, you'll look so adorable in it!" Lucas groaned loudly in annoyance. "Mom..." Keira giggled. "Johanna used to be a real star back in the day..." Lucas stared at her in disbelief. "How come you never told me?" Johanna shrunk back a little. "Oh, that's all in the past now, there's really no reason to talk about it."
Keira turned to Lucas. "Well, if you want to participate in any contests, I'll be there!" She winked and made a peace sign, then walked through one of the doors at the back. Lucas raised an eyebrow as he watched her go. "She's really flashy, huh?" Johanna smirked. "Oh I'm sure you like that type." Lucas turned to her, his eyes widening. "Mom!" Darkness let out a small giggle, earning a dreadful glare from Lucas.
Johanna laughed. "Oh I'm just kidding sweetie! I'll be going now. Enjoy your journey!" She hugged him and walked toward the door leading outside. Luke decided to mess with the young trainer. "Do you have a crush on her or what?" Lucas's glare was so harsh that Luke took a step back. "I'm 14. I'm quite sure I'm too young to date and I clearly don't like her." Luke smirked. "Then you like someone else?" Lucas's cheeks went red as a Cherri berry and he turned around, growling. "Shut up, little canine." Luke shared an amused look with Darkness. Aleu sighed. "Stop annoying him. Let's keep going."
Aleu reached up and pulled on Lucas's arm. He looked down at her and nodded. "Ok, let's keep goi- whoa, who's that?" He stared at something in the distance. Darkness and Luke looked around from either side of him. A woman with purple hair tucked in 4 vertical braids and a stunningly detailed purple dress stood by one of the tables. Some people were talking to her, like she was famous. Lucas stared at her. "I think she's famous or something, I have a feeling she's important." He took one step toward her, when she whipped round, dragging her dress with her. She turned to Lucas. "Oh I'm so sorry! Please excuse me. Are you entering a contest?" Before Lucas could respond, she continued. "Teheheh... Enjoy yourself, please! Incidentally, Fantina, the Hearthome City gym leader, also happens to be a contest expert." Lucas's eyes lit up at the mention of the words "gym leader". The woman chuckled lightly. "And you may ask yourself, how do I know this? Well, I am Fantina!" She twirled around. Lucas seemed mildly surprised. She gestured to Lucas. "You may challenge me, but not yet! You must become much stronger. Then, you may challenge me!" She headed for the door of the contest hall. Lucas drew himself into his own thoughts. "Much... Stronger? What does she mean by that? I could get "stronger" in lots of ways." He sighed and turned to Aleu.
"I don't really know what to do... Fantina says I need to become stronger, but..." Aleu placed her flipper on his hand. This instantly snapped Lucas back. "Yeah, you're right Aleu." He picked her up in his arms, tickling her. Aleu giggled, and darkness laughed a bit too. Lucas smiled. "We should go outside to think." With Aleu still in his arms, he walked outside, followed by Darkness and Luke. "Hey look!" Said Lucas curiously. He pointed to a huge sign standing over a tunnel similar to the one at the entrance of the city. It read "Amity Square". Darkness nodded toward it. Lucas put Aleu on the ground. "Ok, let's go check it out."
Lucas walked toward the building, followed by Darkness, Aleu and Luke in a single straight line. People whispering in the streets said he looked like a mother Golduck with all her Psyducks. Lucas ignored them and stepped inside the building. The woman at the counter saw him. "Hello!" Lucas walked over to the counter. "In Amity square, you can take a walk with a single Pokemon that is allowed according to our rules." Lucas stared unsuringly at the Pokemon. "Just one?" He asked. The woman stared at the three Pokemon with him. "Technically they are all allowed, but..." She reflected for a moment, but after seeing Lucas's pleading face, she whispered to him. "Hey don't tell the boss, but I'll let you all in. Don't attract too much attention though." Lucas's face was filled with happiness. "Thank you!" He yelled. The woman shushed and urged him outside, his Pokemon and Luke following him.
They stepped outside. It was alreadt nighttime. The square was a lush green grassy area, with flowers and trees filling the place. A small lake was in the middle of it, with a few bridges on it for crossing. A light breeze was blowing in the air. Darkness and Aleu yelled excitedly and started running around the space. Lucas tried to chase them frantically. "Guys, remember what she said! Not too much attention!" His warnings were hopeless and Darkness and Aleu played tag. Luke soon joined in. Lucas pulled the hair under his hat. "I'm getting too old for this." He got on his knees and laid down on the grass, taking off his hat, holding it with both his hands placed over his chest.
Luke, Aleu and Darkness stopped playing and headed over to him. Darkness scooted over to his side and sat down beside him. Aleu literally climbed on his chest. Lucas sighed and stared at the sky. "I didn't even notice. It's dark out now..." He commented. Luke sat on a nearby rock, staring at the stars and clouds. Lucas suddenly pointed at the sky. "That's the Guide Star, see?" Darkness and Aleu both looked up. Luke followed his finger to a faraway star that was visibly bigger and brighter than the others. "My mom said the Guide Star always points north. She says every time I look at it, I'll never be alone, because somewhere else in the world she will be staring at that same star…" He sighed, much to Luke's surprise. "I miss mom." He said to the starry sky. Luke observed Lucas's reaction with interest.
Darkness stood up from his spot and walked over to Luke. "Hey Luke, where's your mother?" Luke stared at him questioningly. "I… I don't have one." Darkness looked surprised. "What do you mean "you don't have one"? We all do, or else you wouldn't be here. You know, when a male pokémon and a female pokémon love each other very much-" Darkness was interrupted by Aleu running up to him and covering his mouth. "Darkness, let him be innocent for a little longer!" Luke stared at them like they had both grown another head. Aleu laughed nervously. "What he meant was, we all have a mother and father. Where are yours?" Luke shrugged his shoulders. "I told you, I don't have any parents. And if I do, I don't know who they are. I've been alone for as long as I can remember."
Luke didn't notice, but Lucas was staring intently at their conversation. He propped himself up on his elbows. "Then who guided you if you had no one?" He asked, although it sounded like it had a deeper meaning. He didn't notice everyone was staring at him. Luke thought for a while before answering. "I guess… no one. I always found my way through Aura."
Darkness looked at him questioningly. "Aura? What's that?" Lucas looked down at Darkness. "I have heard of it. They say it's a special energy that flows through everything that's alive. Some pokémon, or even people, have the power to use it to sense things… or so I heard." Aleu turned at Luke. "Riolu is the Emanation pokémon, so… do you have this ability, Luke?" Luke nodded slightly. "I can't feel everything around me though, because I'm too young, I think. Lucario are the Aura pokémon, they have stronger control of Aura."
Darkness seemed fascinated. "Wow! Show me an aura!" he exclaimed. Luke smiled and shook his head. "It's not "an aura", it's aura itself… I can't really explain it. Everything we see is surrounded by an energy. When people and pokémon use aura, they aren't drawing that power from themselves, it's more like they're borrowing the energy around us, harnessing it, and then when they release it, it goes back to the atmosphere. Get it?" Asked Luke. Darkness looked down at the ground. "I… I think so."
Aleu sat beside him on the same rock. "But… what did you mean by you guided yourself through aura?" Luke looked down at the ground. "Aura lets me see certain things, and tells me things about them. Like if something doesn't seem right, its aura tends to look ugly or just something feels off about it. That explains, Lucas…" he said to the boy in question, who stared back at him. "…why I didn't run away when you first approached me at the Pokémon center. Your aura… it felt sort of warm and inviting, not like the other humans around. You… felt different. Somehow. Those Team Galactic mean people's aura felt cold and dark and cruel. I knew at once they were bad people, because of that."
Lucas was fascinated, both by how Luke knew Team Galactic was bad just by feeling their auras, but also by what he said about him. Luke said Lucas's aura felt warm and inviting, yet he kept on with this talk that he didn't trust humans. Maybe, he thought, THIS human, he can trust. He was snapped back to reality by a voice on the speakers. "ATTENTION, AMITY SQUARE CLOSES IN 3 MINUTES!" Lucas rose from his position on the grass. "Come on guys, we should find somewhere to stay."