Chapter 54: Zeryph's Training Montage
Summary:
Zeryph and Mewtwo take a trip to Kalos, in order to start Zeryph's Mega training process. A chapter focused on training, ultimately leading up to Zeryph properly achieving Mega Evolution.
Notes:
So, this chapter's going to be less of a timeskip and more of a montage. Showing the process as Zeryph works towards truly unlocking his Mega Form, and when he eventually does. It's also going to help him settle into a proper fighting style, which he didn't really have before. He'll also be picking up Sacred Sword finally, something he'd been meaning to do for a while now.
Oh and, if I may make a suggestion, the training theme from Shippuden should be suitable background music for this chapter. One of the few times I've properly looped a song for a whole chapter, rather than making suggestions at specific points.
[Day 1]
The rest of our previous day was spent in the base, hanging around outside the cabin. The s'mores idea went over really well, with everyone. It was nice to get outside, if being in the base portal's forest really counts as outdoors. I think it does, personally.
Now, for this morning, Mewtwo and I got up early. While waiting for Lexie to get up so she and I could fix breakfast, Mewtwo and I sat down and slipped into meditation. Preparing ourselves for a day of training. Possibly more, if Dialga allows us to stay for a little while. We'll be coming back once the storm is clear, of course, in order to help out.
Once breakfast was done with, Mewtwo and I met with Dialga who prepared to take us to Kalos. A brief talk with him cleared us to be able to stay a few days to train. So long as we were ready to return to the village at a moment's notice. As soon as we were ready, after I said my goodbyes to the rest of the team, we departed. The world shifting as we were taken to Kalos. Landing just outside the Tower of Mastery.
Dialga wished us well on our training, then vanished the same way he always does. I guess he has other things to do, as usual. Mewtwo and I began to walk up the stairs into the tower. As we first entered the tower, my senses alerted me to someone approaching. I formed a staff in my hands, catching a similar one in a clash, mere moments before it would've hit me.
"Impressive sensory skills." A voice met my ears. The opposing Lucario withdrew his staff, before dispelling it. Then, he bowed, and I did the same in return. "So, what brings the two of you here?"
"I'm here in order to better train in the use of my powers." I said to him. "Zeryph Ketchum, and…I wasn't originally a Lucario."
"So I've heard." The Lucario smiled. "Come, I'll take you to Gurkinn. We were told to expect visitors, we just weren't sure when, or who they'd be." He turned, beginning to walk ahead of us. Mewtwo and I moved to catch up. "If not for the bands, your scarf, partner, or even your uniquely colored eyes, it would not have been easy to recognize you. In truth, however, I think I would've anyway. Even sealed, your unique Aura is impossible to miss."
"I'm gonna guess the Lake Trio had something to do with why you knew to expect us." I got a nod, in response. "No surprise, there. Dialga has cleared us to stay and train, at least for a few days."
"Perfect. While it's interesting that you lack a Mega Stone, same for Mewtwo here, it has been shown what you're capable of without one. Through his own use of Mega Evolution, I mean." Lucario said. "We have guest rooms as well, and we'll set you both up with one. I simply ask that you keep it down while you're here." He shot a knowing look at us, over his shoulder, smiling softly. I'm not surprised that someone from Kalos would pick up on it, immediately. We continued to follow him, up through the tower until we found Gurkinn. Who greeted Mewtwo and I with a handshake.
"Welcome, Mr. Ketchum. I've heard quite a bit about you." Gurkinn made a signal with his hands. His Lucario bowed, before starting to leave the room. "So, you've come here to train, correct?"
"We have. I want to learn to control my powers. And, Mewtwo is here to help with that. As well as learn some tricks for his own Mega form, I'm sure." I said. "As you've likely heard, most of my team achieves Mega Evolution through these." I held up an Empowerment Seed. "Mewtwo is the first to be capable of Mega Evolving at-will, without either one of these, or a Stone." The Eon Twins are as well, of course, but Mewtwo was the first one on the team to do it. Having done so before they started traveling with us.
"Well then, we have a goal to work towards, or, you do." Gurkinn smiled. "From what I've also heard, your training is much more intense than normal. This will work just fine for us. Though, if it's training you want, you should also consider visiting the Isle of Armor in Galar. As well as the Lucario Kingdom, for learning to control Aura better."
Both places are already on the list for consideration, though I have no interest in Dynamax or even Gigantamax stuff. Obviously, if I could do it, I'd figure out how to replicate Susano'o with my Aura. But, like with some other techniques, the risk is very high. Gurkinn motioned for us to follow, then began to show us around the tower. To the training facilities we could use, while I, in return, showed him the alternate plane we used for training at full power.
Something which he greatly appreciated, as it meant there was no risk of damage to the tower. It took about an hour for us to get to see everything, ending with showing us where to find the guest rooms. Then, we returned to the training area. Where he set his Lucario against me in a spar. Wanting to see for himself where I was.
No Mega forms, this time. Just the two of us against each other. I chose to keep my weights on, as well as showing the pair how Mewtwo had me train my senses. By tying a blindfold on, covering my eyes, but using Aura Sight to see instead. Lucario was impressed, just from hearing what we've done so far. As he began to test my defenses, his advice already began. Starting by saying that my movements felt too rigid, and that while I was reacting quickly, the timing of my movements made for a pattern that any skilled opponent could pick up on.
Cynthia's Garchomp from yesterday was proof of that, on its own. And it wouldn't be long before Lucario caught the pattern himself, issuing a light tap on my neck that signaled a knockout. He told us both that, while Mewtwo had done decent groundwork, his form of training didn't work as well. Mostly due to his very different fighting style, and the fact I didn't truly have a set one.
The next critique was my stance. I was shown all of the problems with it. Even though I'd had two months of training with Giratina and his brothers, that lead into another issue that Lucario quickly exploited. My over-reliance on my shadows, as he called it. He outright stated that it wouldn't do at all, mostly because of being a Lucario, myself.
Because of this, he outright banned my use of them from the start. And proved to me that I relied on them too much, when he broke through my guard even faster than the first round. My offense, he stated was a bit better. Saying that my ranged attacks were my best, at least for now. Still, when I showed my Aura channeling, he smiled, and voiced his approval. He even outright said that most untrained aren't capable of doing it with only a week of Aura use.
When I unsealed stage one, I did so slowly. Lucario was impressed by it, and even commented that he'd sensed it before. I went ahead and told him about getting the seals from Arceus. From there, he decided that we would make use of them during our training. Saying that we're going to work with the levels as we train. Allowing me to get used to them, as it will help me with Mega Evolution in the future.
While he and I were going over our opening stuff, I saw that Gurkinn decided to have his Blaziken train with Mewtwo. The pair got along surprisingly well. Bonding over the fact that they were able to properly challenge the other. Even though Mewtwo is a Legendary, with weight training, Gurkinn's Blaziken proved that he was a worthy fighter.
Because of this, Lucario asked that we get him and Blaziken both a set of weights, each. While training us, they would be weight training themselves. I was more than happy to, even telling them they were free to keep the weights. Back to my own training, Lucario and I continued to spar for a few more hours. Until Gurkinn called a stop for lunch. Then it was right back to it.
Lucario was slowed by the weights, but he didn't let that become an issue. He even offered to blindfold himself as well, in order to make sure I was evenly matched, but I declined. As the hours of our first day went on, we continued. Spacing out our first day spars with meditation in between, during short breaks. By the end of our first day, I felt exhausted. More than I have in the past, that's for sure.
Upon figuring out that I had a lot more energy than he thought, as well as my perks and how much punishment I could take, Lucario really stepped it up. Shifting into a level much more fitting for what I could handle. Pushing hard, but not to the point that it would only do harm. Still, it left me exhausted after our first day.
When Mewtwo and I were able to settle down to rest, it was clear that I was exhausted, while he barely broke a sweat. Showing that Mewtwo's training during those two months had really worked. Just as much as he's shown over the past several days, and even during the raid, and the tournament the day after.
Without using Battle Fury, Mewtwo has the energy to go on for several hours without a break. Not that he should, I'm just saying that he can. It's when he slips into Battle Fury that the drain starts to actually hit him.
As I flopped onto the bed, I let out a tired sigh, before purring softly when I felt Mewtwo rub my back. The best part of the day might've been the shower after all the training. Being able to relax made the hard day…absolutely worth it.
"That Lucario really stepped it up all of a sudden, didn't he?" Mewtwo asked.
"Yeah, he did. Ya know, I thought Gurkinn would've been more involved with the training." I commented.
"You're right, and I even thought the same. I asked Blaziken, and he said that Gurkinn was fine with simply allowing the pair to train us, on their own. Figuring that we'd work better if he wasn't bothering us." Mewtwo snuggled up against my side. "Now, get some sleep. We've got more work to do tomorrow."
[Day 2]
As the early morning rolled around, a steady knock met my ears. Mewtwo and I got up, heading for the door where Blaziken met us. We had told him that we were used to getting up very early. Something which he was going to take advantage of. It meant that, much like what I do with Lexie, we'd be doing exercises until breakfast, then shifting into proper training.
Blaziken took us outside, the smell of the sea breeze reaching us before we even left the tower. He began to walk Mewtwo and I through his own style of warmups. Then explained that we would be jogging laps around Shalour City. Until Gurkinn called us in for breakfast.
He told us as well, to not worry about the folks in the nearby city. The most they might do is wave to us if they see us. Mostly because everyone already knows him. As we did our run, I told him about the mountain path in the base dimension. About how steep the grade was, and the fact that Lexie and I spend two hours running it every morning.
Blaziken ended up asking if he could run it one morning, which I'm fine with. Definitely not the first time someone who's not part of the team has been in there. Our morning exercise gained another, as Lucario joined us. We soon stopped for breakfast, then began another day of training. Starting with meditation, in order to settle our nerves.
From there, Lucario started me on a light course, in which I was to use my Aura for my attacks, along with my physical strength. It was a beginner one, so I was able to breeze right through. I decided to reveal that I had some training from Koga, as far as mobility goes. Something which Lucario quickly picked up on, moving me up to tougher stuff. When asked what it was for, he explained that the courses were to test focus, not speed.
Which was why there were projectile launchers in the course, to throw that focus off. He was quick to pick up on how focus was, even now, a major issue of mine. In two ways- either my focus was easily disrupted, or, too fixated on one thing. In fact, he was able to even demonstrate how it was a mix of both.
When I focused too much on defending myself, it meant my times were much slower than they should be. But if I focused on the goal, it would be thrown off quickly, and my balance would go with it. By something as little as a slight shift in the ground. Something he went on to exploit any time he had the chance. He also tested me, without the weights, in order to figure out what the difference was. This set the goal for him to push me towards. Wanting me to be able to run the course in the time it took me with the weights off, while still wearing them. What I mean is, pushing me to the point that with the weights on, that I'm equal to what I can do with them off.
Lucario and Blaziken soon decided that they were going to both focus on me at the same time, after Blaziken discovered that there wasn't really much the pair could teach Mewtwo at his level. Pretty much saying that he would have to visit the Isle of Armor if he wanted any advanced training. This is mostly because of how during our previous major training, Giratina focused almost exclusively on Mewtwo.
Speaking of which, Lucario wanted him to get involved as well, while still maintaining the ban on my own shadow use. But he would allow me to at the very least augment my Aura to cancel out typing. That way I would be able to defend myself from Giratina's shadows. Almost as soon as he was asked to join in, Giratina gladly accepted. Stating that if I were to wield his powers, he wanted a hand in my training, in return.
Between him, Lucario and Blaziken, my training got way more intense. With Giratina involved, I was exhausted by the time the day ended. Too tired to really do much following supper, other than flop onto my bed and fall asleep right away.
[Day 3]
When I woke up on the third day, my muscles felt like they were on fire. The soreness passed when I felt a soothing light pass over me. Melanie smiled down from above. She was brought in to help us after Giratina suggested it. Figuring that it wouldn't do us any good if I were to be crippled in the middle of training.
Melanie let me know that the others missed me, already. Latias, especially, given how strongly she'd gotten attached. She also told Mewtwo and I that the weather had cleared up overnight. Because of this, we had to take a pause from my training. Long enough for me to get rescue work organized, and get everyone set to work.
I really wanted to help my team with it, but I had to focus on training. Because of this, Suicune took over leading the rescue efforts while I was away. Melanie would be on rotation, visiting in the mornings to make sure I was doing OK, then working where needed with the team. Mewtwo also chose to go and help them, as they'd need his senses.
The sisters began to get involved in my training, but theirs was more on the mental side of things. Azelf figured that it would save me time, and would mean I could wait longer before going to the Kingdom. Their training was still challenging, but not as demanding as Giratina or the other boys. The extra meditation ended up helping, as well.
With the sisters guiding my meditation and focus, I found physical training to be flowing smoother. When I mentioned the idea of elemental Aura use, Lucario was interested. With the Lake Trio here now, they could help me learn how, to a point. The sisters also began to help me focus my power, and were the ones who first let me begin with my second stage. The massive boost from unleashing the second seal was incredible.
Much like with my first, the sisters taught me how to undo it slowly, rather than all at once. As sudden release would throw off my control. At least for now, anyway. With the second seal being fully usable now, the boys stepped up my training even more. And the sisters moved up theirs to match. I couldn't quite feel what I needed to Mega Evolve, but Mesprit was able to explain that. She had said that because my first one was in a situation in which my emotions were compromised, I would find it a lot harder to achieve until I could control my own.
She also said that I shouldn't completely stop them, but learn to control them, and focus what I was feeling properly. They also began to teach me how to use my perks to the fullest, based off what Uxie learned about the System. She personally helped me learn to control the System, starting with tuning Gamer's Mind. To the point where it would help me control not only my emotions, but my Aura, as well.
Then, she had me spar against herself and her sisters. Something light, where I would be defending myself from their ranged attacks. But instead of using constructs, I was to use my Aura to dodge or redirect the blasts. They took a bit more care in my training than the boys, but I would still be punished for slipping up. Azelf agreed with what Lucario said about my focus. Because of this, the sisters formed a pattern to their attacks, allowing me to slowly learn it. And once I found the pattern, they would switch it up. Slowly at first, but soon the switches became sudden.
Coupled with how the boys were training me, this began to show its benefits, even by the end of the day. The sisters personally healed me, so that Melanie could focus on helping the team with rescue work. My training was also adjusted on Uxie's suggestion. Using my mindscape at night for meditation training. Something much more peaceful, which would help me keep myself calm, in the long run.
While I did my meditation, they would change my mindscape surroundings, as I allowed them to. Using different locations or sources of background noise as attempts at distractions. At first, these were very easy for them to pick up on. Such as the rumbling feeling of a train rolling past. Or the howling of strong wind. Sometimes, one of the sisters would lightly tap me in order to draw my attention directly.
[Day 4]
The meditation training at night while my physical body was asleep, turned out to be a boost in its own right. Capitalizing on what I'd taught Mewtwo to help with his restless nights, in the past. So when I woke up on the fourth morning, and joined Blaziken and Lucario for morning exercise, they picked up very fast on how I seemed to be much more energized.
Because of this, Blaziken had us step up the morning exercise. Lucairo picked up on how my Aura seemed to be flowing much more naturally, thanks to the sisters and their help. It became much more noticeable, as I ended up finishing my exercise before the boys did. During breakfast, I got to meet Korrina finally, as well as her Riolu. She was a fair bit younger than what we would see in Kalos, and her partner still being a Riolu matched with that.
She seemed pretty excited to meet me, even going as far as asking for my autograph, and a picture. Knowing she was one of my fans brought a smile to my face. A smile that grew bigger when she revealed that I was a major inspiration for her. Even though my Career hasn't gone past the Indigo League yet.
Her Riolu was even more of a fan, quickly picking up on how strong my Aura was. He even outright said that he wanted to be as strong as I was. And asked if I could help train him one day in the future. I chuckled when I heard his enthusiasm, before rubbing the top of his head, causing him to grumble. But I still told him that I would be happy to help him train.
I also told Korrina that in a few years, I'd be challenging the Gym. Something which, she told me she was looking forward to. Even going as far as saying that she'd plan a unique battle for my team. I remember when I played the games for X and Y, well, Y, specifically. Anyway, I remembered that Korrina was one of my favorite trainers, for a pretty good while.
So being able to shape her career is an interesting opportunity. Hell, if I outright help her and her team train, they could get pretty strong from it. I mean, look at Ash's current team, and how they turned out. Korrina and her partner decided they'd watch me train today.
I had to deal with six at once now, but because of the sisters the night before, it felt easier than the previous day when it was just the boys and Giratina. Because his sisters were involved though, Giratina got much tougher with his addition to the training. But, thanks to the sisters, I started to adapt faster. Because of the increase in my energy to burn, I noticed that I wasn't tiring as fast.
By the time lunch had rolled around, I had worked up a sweat, but didn't feel tired. Lucario seemed proud of that, saying that it's a good sign as far as my improvements go. During lunch, a visitor even dropped in to see us. Professor Sycamore, who had heard that I was in the area.
I shifted to my human form for a short while in order to talk with him. He was surprised by that, but understanded why I couldn't teach others how to do it. When I mentioned that I'd be giving some of my Empowerment Seeds to Gurkinn as a thanks for training, Sycamore asked if I could also leave some for him. Gurkinn overheard, and said that it wouldn't be necessary, but I insisted. I even outright said that they were fantastic for learning to control a Pokemon's Mega form. Mewtwo was proof of that, after all.
As training resumed, Lucario had me use one, myself. My Mega form felt much stronger than a few days ago, even though I had used a seed. At the same time, Gurkinn used his Keystone on the boys, powering them both up into theirs. Lucario and Blaziken felt much stronger than I did, but were nothing compared to Mewtwo, the Eon Twins, or…for that matter, Rayquaza. Course, Rayquaza makes us all feel weak, even now. But even his mega form doesn't match up to Giratina's Origin Forme.
From this moment onwards, the boys wanted me to train in Mega form, when I could. We would train in the mornings with my base form, then in the afternoon with my Mega form. Gurkinn was interested in the seeds after seeing how they worked. Lucario proved that his Mega form was stronger, but mine was steadily catching up. Blaziken however, was much stronger, mostly due to Type Advantage. With Lucario's shadow ban, I didn't have a means to shield myself from the flames.
Blaziken also showed that his Speed Boost let him adjust to me without my weights, and not only was he able to match what I could do, but surpass it enough that I had trouble keeping up. This was what made Lucario decided that I should increase my weights as we continued. Mewtwo visited to check on us, going into the evening. He smiled warmly when he saw me, and quickly caught on to how I felt stronger than before.
From what he said, rescue work was a lot tougher after the hurricane. But, their work to help people, has caused the continent's locals to warm up to them all very fast. Mewtwo even said that the folks in Pokemon square were thinking of making statues for us. They didn't have to, of course, but I was happy to hear it, either way. Alakazam was wondering where I went, but was satisfied when Mewtwo explained that I was away for intense training.
Mewtwo stayed with me through the night, joining the sisters in my meditation training. His own form of distraction was much more challenging, but he kept it clean at the very least. By messing with my senses rather than playing one of Melanie's cards. It's likely that the Eon twins would also find their own unique forms of messing with me. I just worry that Latios would be a bit more hostile with his. He still wasn't very happy after Latias joined the harem I've got going. He wasn't as upset about her being officially caught, since he knew that was going to happen already.
Because of the fact I got Latias a custom ball, I was asked if I would be doing the same for the others. Kaorah was going to be first on that list, since hers is the oldest. Then Mewtwo, after her, before I go for the rest. I think Evan would be happy to keep his basic ball though, since he actually found his to be comfortable. I think I'll pay him a visit, once I get the chance to.
[Day 5]
As the morning rolled around once more, Mewtwo and I were up early. We shared an embrace and a kiss, before he returned to the rest of the team to continue rescue work. This was when I caught on to how Lucario and Blaziken seemed to be pretty close, themselves. I had a guess, since I caught the way they smiled at Mewtwo and I when they saw us together.
Korrina feigned being uncomfortable, not at how Mewtwo and I are together, but from the mushy stuff as she put it. I was quick to reverse it, saying that she'd be like that with someone one day. Although for now she denied it, I won't be surprised if she ends up with her Riolu in the future, after he's evolved. Especially with stuff like that being legal in Kalos.
Friendship evos are the most likely to develop into such a relationship too, from what I've heard. In fact, I even heard from Gurkinn's Lucario that the Kingdom didn't just legalize it, they encourage it. In a similar sense to how Ferrum does. The boys even asked me about the other girls during morning exercise. I told the couple that, if my team wasn't busy with working as a Rescue Team, I'd bring them all back so they could be introduced.
As we started the day's training, I began to feel something different. During the morning spar, I felt as though something clicked when I unsealed my second stage. My power began to surge, and before I could figure it out, I felt myself transform. This wasn't driven by anger, like when I killed Gengar's team, or from an Empowerment Seed. This was completely natural, and the matching surge of power felt incredible.
Grinning, Lucario and Blaziken shifted into their own Mega forms, with assistance from Gurkinn. Training got much more intense, right away, with Giratina even increasing his own pressure. With my transformation being natural, and under control, I actually wore the boys out, for once. By the time we got to lunch, they were tired. I decided to further test myself, making use of the Dungeon System to create an arena fight, similar to Makuhita's dojo.
I adjusted it to be just like his Fighting Type floor, setting my timer for how long I could handle. While I settled into my new flow, the boys stood by and watched. Gurkinn, as well as Korrina and her Riolu, also joined in to watch. They were interested by my magic, though Lucario and Blaziken wondered why I didn't use it sooner. Both were satisfied with my answer, that I didn't want to use it, out of feeling like it would've been a shortcut.
It wasn't until early evening, that my power began to wane and I felt myself revert to base form. Exhaustion hit me like a truck when I powered down, causing me to collapse. The boys shared a short laugh at my expense, but helped me up. Lucario said that it would be my lesson to not overdo it with my transformation.
[Day 6]
Day six was when Lucario started having me run the test courses from earlier in the week. I was able to flow through them with ease. Shattering the previous times I had set. Then, it was sparring with the boys, who were proud when I managed to down both of them at once. This was followed up by having me spar with Mewtwo, using our Mega forms. While I still lost to Mewtwo, this was an excellent way to show how far I had gotten.
Lucario mentioned that my development was incredible. It was now that I revealed the truth to how my own abilities worked. But he seemed to already know there was something going on behind the scenes. Still, if not for the sisters, I wouldn't have progressed quite as fast. It's their mental training that gave me the extra push.
Much like the previous day, the boys had me do another bout of arena training in my Mega form. The sisters also cleared me to use Stage Three. This made both my forms even stronger, and increased my Aura cap to two hundred thousand. Much like they'd taught me, I did my unsealing slowly. But I was able to undo Stage Two much faster now without sacrificing control. And Stage One is at the point where I can switch it on and off at will.
My own side projects began to have some effects on my attacks. As I started to be able to shape my Aura constructs into blades rather than being blunt objects. It wasn't as good as Sacred Sword by any means, and I was thinking my seventh and last day could be a trip to Unova to pick it up before I return to my team.
The girls all missed me by now, and even Alex and the locals were starting to miss me, as well. My reunion with them started to become an extra bit of motivation, as I knew we'd be reunited pretty soon. It was thanks to Mewtwo and Dialga that they knew how I was doing, same for Giratina. Dialga was even considering the idea of allowing me to use the Distortion World to time shift on my own.
It was how Giratina was always present, because the Distortion World placed him outside the effects of time. Essentially allowing him to be at any point he wanted to. But he can't go further back than what point of time I'm at. Well, he can, but he can't interact with the outside world.
My training with the boys was beginning to wind down, as I had ultimately achieved what I was here for. So, for the rest of our sixth day, it was spent on light sparring mixed with arena runs. We weren't as tired when the day eventually wound down to its end. I told them that I decided I would leave in the morning, to go train with the Swords of Justice, if they'll allow me to. They were both disappointed to hear that I was leaving, saying that they had started to like having a challenging opponent to train with. But they still understood, and outright said that I was welcome to stop by at any time to train again.
[Day 7]
The following morning, I said my farewells, to the boys, as well as Gurkinn and Korrina, and her Riolu. Then, I pulled open a rift and stepped through. The early morning light in Kalos, shifting to a cool night in Unova. I knew where I was headed, of course, and it wasn't long until I found them.
"A Lucario? What brings you…" Keldeo trailed off, his eyes widening. "Zeryph? Wha…but…how?"
"Long story, Keldeo." I smiled. "Hey, are the others around? I was looking for you guys, wanted to see if I could pick up something."
"Oh, yeah, they're here. C'mon." Keldeo turned, leading the way. "You feel way stronger than last time we saw you guys. Not counting that TV appearance of yours. That whole tournament was crazy!"
"I bet it was." My senses caught the other three, just before they appeared in front of us. All of them smiling warmly as they quickly figured out who I was.
"Chosen, what brings you here?" Coballion asked me.
"Sacred Sword. I was wondering if your team would mind teaching me how to use it." I saw their expressions shift. Coballion didn't speak, instead, he made a motion for me to follow. His team began to lead me further into the forest they called home.
"You make for a very handsome Lucario, you know?" Virizion spoke up. "Were I not spoken for, already, I think you would be the one I would find myself pursuing."
"Heh…thanks. Well, you wouldn't be the first Legendary, that's for sure." There was Mewtwo and Latias for sure. I'm not sure at the moment Kalina and Suicune are gonna go, and I know that Xerneas is on the list for the future, for sure. And, possibly, Zeraora, as well. Depending on how things develop with him, once he joins the team.
"Oh, I know, already. You know, Mewtwo's going to be due for that meeting. If you thought there was only one of each of the world's Legends, you're actually wrong. The only ones who are truly unique to their species, are Arceus and His sons and daughters. Well…them, and Zygarde's trio. Less so for Zygarde than for Xerneas and Yveltal. Given Zygarde's ability to split himself." Virizion smiled back at me. "Oh, and, the two wolves from Galar, as well. Zacian and Zamazenta, if I remember right."
Our conversation was interrupted before I could say anything. We were deep in a forest, north of Floccesy town. A huge rock was just ahead, scarred by marks left behind from strong attacks. It was pretty easy to tell that this was where the four did their training.
"Chosen, step into the center, between all of us, and kneel." Coballion instructed, as he, Virizion, and Terrakion, moved into a triangle formation. As I settled onto my knees, they each placed a hoof on me. Coballion set one on my forehead, while his teammates each placed one on my shoulders. I felt their powers flowing, and images began to flash through my mind. I felt my Aura shift noticeably, surging as they fed it for only a few seconds. Then they slowly pulled away.
"Now, shape your Aura, and draw your blade." Coballion instructed. I lifted my hands up, holding them together similar to Excalibur/Umbra. I clutched at the air with my hands, then pulled them apart. My Aura flared, and I used the Swords' shared knowledge to shape it. An unmistakable sound met my ears, and a blade formed in my right hand, forming as I drew it away from my left.
My eyes had to adjust to the bright, green light that it put off, and I began to feel its steady drain on my Aura. It was slow, so it wouldn't be an issue if I didn't use any other Aura techniques while it was active. Mainly because of my massive reserves, even in just my first Stage. Which I was comfortable with keeping up at all times, now. Thanks mainly to the sisters and their control training, which means I can use it without half the planet sensing me now.
"Amazing." Virizion broke the brief silence.
"Indeed. Now, wield your blade, and strike the rock before you." Coballion stepped aside as I stood. I readied myself, before charging forward and swinging. Though I stopped short, my Aura pulsed. A powerful wave of energy being sent out ahead and carving a deep gash into the rock, nearly splitting it in half. I put more into the wave than I intended, but at least I know it worked. As I sheathed my blade, I took a slow breath, settling my Aura once more.
"Incredible. You might have the strongest form of Sacred Sword, that I have ever seen." Coballion smiled when I turned to face him. "Remember, only draw your blade in the name of Justice, never for evil. We all trust you to use this power responsibly."
"You have my word, Coballion." I bowed my head, a gesture which the Swords responded to, in kind. "Now, I have to get going. My team really misses me right about now, I'm sure." I began preparing to head home, with Dialga appearing, right on cue. Even though I had learned Sacred Sword, and the fact it's powerful, I don't plan to use it outside of specific circumstances. I can think of two cases in the future where I'll need it. Teams Plasma and Flare, as well as possible use in battle for any movie events.
But, I'm willing to bet that my created dungeons and arenas are free game. Since they exist only for training, and nothing more. As Dialga and I prepared to return to my team, Dialga's expression changed as if something had happened. He gave me a worried look, something which doesn't bode well. As the world began to blur, I started to prepare myself for anything. Hoping that, if something did happen, that it wasn't bad.
