Chapter 135: Training the Aura of Fate

"Attention! Attention, please! The final rankings of The Masters Eight have been decided!"

"Alright!" Ash said, bolting upright. "Let's see what awesome trainers we'll be competing against, buddy!"

"Pi!"

"Ranked 8th, the Champion of Unova, Iris!"

"Alright, Iris made it!"

"Ranked 7th, the Champion of Alola, all the way from Pallet Town, Ash Ketchum!"

"Ranked 6th, the winner of the most recent Lumiose Conference, Alain!"

"Ranked 5th, the Champion of Kalos, Diantha!"

"Ranked 4th, the new Champion of Kanto AND Johto, Lance!"

"Ranked 3rd, the Champion of Hoenn, Steven Stone!"

"Ranked 2nd, the Champion of Sinnoh, Cynthia!"

"And last, but certainly not least, he's the undefeated Champion of Galar, our reigning Monarch LEON!"

The eight pictures began to circle the television screen.

"In two months time, these eight will battle it out in Wyndon to determine who is the strongest trainer in the world! And we'll be bringing it to you live on Pokemon TV!"

The broadcast cut out, but Ash's excitement was still high as ever.

"Alright! Man, all of these guys are so awesome, I can't wait to see them in action!"

"Don't forget, you have to face them too," Lillie said, amused by her boyfriend's enthusiasm.

"Even better! Because my Pokemon and I will win for sure, right buddy?"

"Pi!"

"Well, you'd better start training," Chloe said. "Those two months will fly by before you know it."

"Yeah, you're right," Ash nodded. "And I know just where to go!"


As it turned out, his training grounds of choice was Professor Oak's lab in Pallet Town. Lillie, Goh, and Chloe were all too happy to accompany him, so once he sent Urshifu's Pokeball through the transporter, the four set off. After a bus ride to Pallet Town, they made a beeline for Professor Oak's lab.

"Don't you want to visit your mom first?"

Ash just shook his head.

"She's at work right now, but I'll be sure to stop by before we leave."

Ash was about to knock on the door when it swung open to reveal Professor Oak.

"Ah, Ash! And Lillie, how are you?"
"Good, Professor?"

"Chloe, how's your father?"

"He's fine, thanks."

"And Goh, Gary told me you made it into Project Mew as a Chaser! Congratulations."

"Thanks, Professor!"

"Come in, come in! Urshifu's Pokeball just made it."

"Great!"


After picking up Urshifu, Ash made his way to the backyard.

"Hey everyone, I'm back!"

The minute Ash stepped foot in the backyard, all of his Pokemon came charging toward him, with Bayleef leading the way. Goh and Chloe could only watch in bewilderment as the massive herd enveloped Ash, and their shock only grew as Ash laughed and began petting all of them.

"Hey guys, long time no see! You all remember Lillie, right?"

Lillie smiled as some of them moved to shower her with affection.

"Hello, everyone! It's great to see you again."

"And these are my new friends, Goh and Chloe!"

"Hello!"

Of course, now some of his Pokemon had to greet his new friends. Unfortunately for those two, however…

"Um, nice to meet you too Muk, but can you please let me go?"

"Ash, your Gible is biting me!"

Ash laughed.

"That's how you know they like you! Alright guys, give them some room."

The two subsided, allowing Goh and Chloe to breathe again.

"Alright guys, listen up. My team and I are competing in The Masters Eight Tournament, and we need to get some serious training in. And I thought who better than my old buddies back home? So who's with me!"

The whole crowd gave a happy cheer, making Ash smile.

"Thanks guys, I knew I could count on you!"


Immediately, Ash's Pokemon split up into groups to train.

Urshifu and Sirfetch'd were sparring with the Fighting types, working to build their stamina. Sirfetch'd blocked a Megahorn from Heracross before swinging his leek sword into Scraggy, sending the Fighting type skidding back. Urshifu traded blows with Infernape for a bit, before Hawlucha snuck up on him and kicked him hard in the leg, forcing him to kneel. But he was quick to recover, and hit Hawlucha back with a low sweep.

Dracovish was training with Ash's water types, trying to become a better swimmer. Trying being the key word, because he was struggling to keep his head above water. But his trainers didn't let him give up, Buizel swimming under him to keep him afloat while Palpitoed and Totodile chanted encouragement. It was a long struggle, but at last Dracovish managed to do it, a development that made him very happy.

Dragonite took to the skies with Noivern, trying to master Dragon Dance while Gible, Glailie, and Boldore tried to blast her out of the sky. Once it was clear she could do so with ease, Pidgeot, Unfeazant, and Staraptor tried to do an aerial assault, only for her to repel them with Hurricane.

Rillaboom was taking a much different approach to his training. Ash's grass types had him sitting in a field, using the sun's rays to energize him. It took a while, because Rillaboom wasn't getting it, more used to being energetic and lively, but every time his mind seemed to wonder a quick smack from Ivysaur's Vine Whip was enough to keep him on track. At last, his body glowed a bright green, signifying that he had done it.

Ash smiled, nodding in approval at the progress before noticing Lucario leaning against a tree, not bothering to partake in the training. Surprised, Ash walked over to him.

"Hey buddy, what's up? I thought that of everyone here, you'd be the most excited to do some training."

Lucario didn't respond, though Ash noticed he seemed to be scanning the trees looking for something. Or perhaps someone.

Ash looked over the ranch again and realized something. All of his Pokemon were helping train in one way or another. All, that is, except for one.

"Hey, Professor Oak, have you seen Greninja?"

Professor Oak shook his head.

"He's difficult to keep an eye on, I'm afraid. Usually he's off wandering the woods somewhere. Don't worry though, he's always back before sundown."

Suddenly, Lucario darted to attention, and Ash soon saw why. Up in the trees was a lone figure, who quickly darted off into the forest. Before Ash could stop him, Lucario darted off after it, Ash not far behind.

"Lucario, wait up!"


Lucario and Ash ran deep into the woods, chasing after the figure in the trees. At last, they reached a large clearing, where the figure dropped down. As they expected, it was Greninja. Ash smiled, and quickly ran over to give his old friend a hug, which Greninja happily reciprocated.

"Hey buddy, it's great to see you again!"

"Ninja."

"You remember Lucario, right?"

Lucario eagerly bounded over, bowing out of respect, to which Greninja did the same.

"My team's training for The Masters Eight, and I think Lucario wanted to train with you specifically. What do you say?"
Greninja eyed Lucario up and down for a minute, before back flipping away to give himself some space. Then, he gestured for Lucario to come at him. Lucario grinned, and charged forward.


Back at the ranch, Ash's disappearance seemed to have gone unnoticed by his other Pokemon, themselves occupied with their own training. Goh, Chloe, Lillie, and Professor Oak watched them while chatting.

"Hey Professor Oak, is Gary around?"

"Sorry Goh, you just missed him. He left yesterday for a trip to Johto."

"Darn, I was hoping we could get some training in for Project Mew."

"But he did ask me to give you this."

Professor Oak handed him a letter. Curious, he opened it and read it aloud.

"Dear, Goh, I saw that you made it into Project Mew as well. Congratulations, you deserve it! I can't wait to work with you."

"Wow," Chloe said. "That was nice of him."

"P.S. Gary was here, Goh is a loser."

Lillie and Chloe giggled, while Goh just seethed in fury.

"Oh, real mature!"


"Come on Lucario, you can do it!"

Lucario grunted, before firing off another Aura Sphere, only for Greninja to evade it. Again and again Lucario fired them off, only to be met with the same result before recieving a Water Shuriken to the face.

The two of them had been engaged in a battle for 30 minutes, though calling it a battle may be too generous. Despite his many attempts, Lucario had yet to land a single blow on his opponent, and his attacks were getting sloppier by the minute.

"Lucario, slow down! Getting angry isn't going to solve this."

Lucario snarled, but knew Ash had a point, and relaxed, closing his eyes to try and focus. Greninja remained motionless, curious as to where this would go. Ash closed his eyes as well, allowing their aura to connect.

"That's it Lucario, just focus! Greninja is quick, but you're strong!"

As Lucario relaxed, an Aura Sphere began to build up in his palms, growing bigger and bigger. Ash waited until it was large enough and then…

"NOW!"

Lucario tossed the massive Aura Sphere with all his might. Greninja tried to jump out of the way, but the sphere was too large and it hit him head on, creating a small explosion. When the dust settled, both Greninja and Lucario had been forced to their knees, exhausted.

"Alright! Way to go, Lucario!"

Despite how tired he was, Lucario smiled, and gave him a thumbs up. Greninja stood up once more and bowed, Lucario doing the same.

"I think I get it," Ash said. "You wanted to teach us to relax, and not being so focused on the goal. Is that it?"

Greninja nodded. Lucario grinned, and got back in a fighting stance.

"Looks like he's ready for round 2! What do you say, Greninja?"

Greninja chuckled, before taking a fighting stance of his own.


After a week of training, Ash and his team were ready to head back. They still had more training to do, but his other Pokemon felt that they had taught his new ones all that they could.

"Thanks so much for your help, everyone!" Ash said before they left. "I promise, the next time you see me, I'll have beaten Leon!"

His Pokemon all cheered, and with their best wishes Ash and his friends set off or Vermillion City. Lucario sat back, scanning the treeline before he found Greninja, who gave him an approving nod.

"Lucario, come on!"

Lucario smiled, returning the nod before taking off after Ash. It would be a long road, but he looked forward to it.


A/N: Before anyone comments it, no I didn't forget Paul. Trust me, I have plans for him.